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ABSTRACT

6. (A 17-OXYGENATED-PREGNANE AS DEFINED IN CLAIM 1, WHICH HAS THE CHEMICAL NAME) 16A-METHYL-1,4-PREGNADIENE-11B,17A,21-TRIOL-3,20

United States Patent Reissued Mar. 18, 1975 Int. Cl. C07c 169/32 US. Cl. 260-39745 20 Claims Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Novel I 6-methyl steroids of the pregnane series, having the following formula:

wherein the dotted line in Ring A indicates the optional presence of a double bond, and wherein X is hydrogen or halogen, R stands [or hydrogen, hydroxy, phosphoryloxy and lower hydrocarbon carbonyloxy, and Z is a keto or hydroxy substituent, and method of preparing the same.

This is a continuation-in-part of applications Ser. No. 642,655, filed Feb. 27, 1957, now abandoned; and Ser. No. 752,180, filed July 31, 1958, now abandoned [and Ser. No. 457,792, filed May 21, 1965, now abandoned; said Ser. No. 457,792 is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 103,187, filed Apr. 17, 1961, now abandoned, which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 753,407, filed Aug. 6, 1958, now abandoned, and Ser. No. 810,996, filed May 5, 1959, now abandoned; and said Ser. No. 810,996 is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 753,408, filed Aug. 6, 1958, now abandoned] This invention is concerned generally with novel steroid compounds and with processes of preparing the same. More particularly, it relates to novel [17-oxygenated-20- keto-steroids of the pregnane series having a methyl substituent attached to the C-l6 carbon atom, and to novel processes for preparing these 16-methyl-17-oxygenated- ZO-keto-pregnanes starting with ZO-keto-pregnanes having a A -dollbifl bond. These 16-methyl-17-oxygenated-20- keto-pregnanes include both nuclear saturated and unsaturated compounds, as for example l6-methyl-17-oxygenerated-3,20-diketo-l,4-pregnadienes, 16-methyl-l7-oxygenated 3,20 diketo-4-pregnenes, and the like. These novel 16-methyl-17-oxygenated 20 keto-pregnanes, particularly those having ring A nuclear unsaturatiom] I6- methyl-ll-oxygenated-1,4-pregnadiene 1711,21 dial-3,20- dt'one compounds, and to the process of preparing these compounds starting with the corresponding novel 16- methyl-II-oxygenated 4 pregnene 17:2,21 dial-3,20- dione compound. These novel 16-methyl-I1-oxygenated 1,4 pregnadiene-Ihihdioi 3,20 dione compounds possess extremely high anti-inflammatory activity, and are especially effective for the treatment of arthritis and related diseases since they can be administered for their cortisone-like action in extremely low dosage thereby mizing undesired side effects.

[The novel 16-methyl-17-oxygenated-20-keto-steroids of the pregnane series subject of the present invention include, as a preferred embodiment thereof, the 16-methyl- 11,l7-bis-oxygenated-steroid 3,20 diones having the following formula:

wherein X is hydrogen or halo, Y is hydrogen, hydroxy or lower hydrocarbon carboxylic acyloxy, Z is keto or hydroxy, R is hydrogen or lower hydrocarbon oarboxylic acyl, and the dotted lines in rings A and B indicate that a double bond or bonds may be present in the 1,2- and/ or 6,7-positions.]

These novel l6-methyl-II-oxygenated-1,4-pregnadiene- I7, 21 -diol-3,20-di0ne compounds, subject of the present invention, may be chemically represented as follows:

wherein X is hydrogen or fluoro, R stands for hydrogen or lower hydrocarbon carbonyl, and Z is a keto or hydraxy substituent.

[The 16 methyl 11,17 bis-oxygenated-steroid-3.20- diones unsaturated at A are conveniently prepared by contacting the corresponding l6-methyl-11,l7-bis-oxygenated 4-pregner-e-3,20-dione.]

These 16 methyl-1Ioxygenated-I,4-pregnadiene-I7a, 21-diol-3,20-dione compounds are prepared by contacting the corresponding novel I7,2I-diol-3,20-dlone compound with the dehydrogenating activity of microorganisms of the class Schizomyoetes, which includes microorganisms belonging to the orders Actinomycetalcs and Eubacteriales. The preferred Eubacteriales include microorganisms of the genus Acetobacter, the genus Aerobacter, and the genus Bacillus; the preferred Actinomycetales include microorganisms of the genus Nocardia and the genus Mycobacterium. We particularly prefer to employ microorganisms of the class Schizomycetes belonging to the following species, namely: Acetobacter xylinum, Aerobacter aerogenes, Bacillus sphaericus, Nocardia erythropolis, Nocardia blackwellii, Nocardia asteroides, Nocardia minima, Nocardia globerula, Nocardia leishmanii, Nocardia fol-mica, Nocardia convoluta, Nocardia corallina, and [Myobacterium] Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium phlei, Mycobacterium lacticola, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The species Bacillus sphaericus, as defined in Bergeys Manual for Determinative Bacteriology, Sixth edition, comprises several varieties such as the [rotana] rorans variety, the fusiformis variety, etc., and, in some collections, these varieties are referred to by the species names Bacillus [rotana] rorans and Bacillus fusiformis. These microorganisms of the class Schizomycetes can be obtained from known sources such as the American Type Culture Collection, Washington, DC, or they may be isolated from natural sources, such as soil, by known methods.

It is desired to emphasize that for any given species of Schizomycetes, the preferred dehydrogenating strains can be selected by the following test method: A nutrient medium containing 1 g. of cerelose, l g. of edamin, 0.25 ml. of cornsteep liquor, 0.05 g. of yeast extract, and sufficient distilled water to make 50 ml., is adjusted to pH 6.5, sterilized and inoculated with a culture of the particular microorganisms strain to be tested for its A dehydrogenating activity. The resulting culture is incubated for a period of 24 hours at a temperature of 28 C., and a sample of the culture is transferred to a second 50 milliliter sample of the aforementioned nutrient medium which has likewise been adjusted to pH 6.5 and sterilized. The resulting inoculated culture is then incubated at a temperature of 28 C., with agitation, for a 24-hour period, and to the resulting culture is added a solution containing mg. of hydrocortisone dissolved in 0.1 ml. of dimethylformamide. The culture containing the steroid compound is incubated, with agitation, for an additionalperiod of about 10 hours at 28' C. The fermentation broth is repeatedly extracted with ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extracts are combined and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. A portion of the residual material is dissolved in acetone and spotted on a paper chromatogram which is developed using formamide as the stationary phase and chloroform as the mobile phase. Two separate bands are ordinarily obtained, the [lower] less polar band corresponding to unchanged hydrocortisone; the [upper] more polar band corresponds to the u -dehydroderivative. Both bands are cut off, separately eluted with methanol, and each of the methanol eluants are subjected to ultraviolet absorption analysis. The efliciency of the microorganism strain being tested in efiecting d -dehydrogenation is indicated by the relative proportions of A -dehydro derivative and unchanged hydrocortisone as measured by this ultraviolet absorption analysis.

[The novel, presently invented ring A unsaturated 16- methyl-l l,l'I-bis-oxygenated-20-keto-steroids of the pregnane series also include, as a preferred embodiment, the lfi-methyl-ll-(keto or hydroxy)-4-pregnene-l7e,2l-dioll3,20-dioutee which may be chemically represented as folows:

wherein X is hydrogen or fiuoro, R stands for hydrogen or lower hydrocarbon carbonyl, and Z is a keto or hydroxy substituent. These l6-methyl-ll-oxygenated-4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,20-diones, which themselves possess extremely high anti-inflammatory activity, and which are also useful as starting materials in the process hereinabove described] The novel 16-merhyI-1I-0xygenared-4-preg Irene-17112I-diol-3,20-diones used as starting materials in this process are conveniently prepared starting with the known l6-pregnene-3a-ol-l1,20-dione 3-acetate in accordance with the following procedure: 16-pregnene-3s-ol-1l, ZO-dione 3-acetate is reacted with methyl magnesium iodide in the presence of cuprous chloride thereby forming l6a-methyl-pregnane-3a-ol-l1,20-dione B-acetate, which is reacted with aqueous methanolic hydrochloric acid to form l6a-mcthyl-pregnane-3a-ol-l1,20-dione. The latter compound, which is a potent anesthetic, is reacted with acetic anhydride in the presence of p-toluene sulfonic acid catalyst to form a mixture of enol acetates containing 16amethyl-t7,20-pregnene-3a,20-diol-ll-one 3,20 diacetate; this mixture, after chromatographic purification to remove any unchanged starting material, is reacted with perbenzoic acid and the resulting lfia-methyl-l7a-20-epoxy-pregnane-3a,20-diol-ll-one 3,20-diacetate is hydrolyzed with methanolic potassium bicarbonate to produce t6a-methylpregnane-lhJh-diol-l1,20-dione. The latter compound is reacted with bromine in chloroform to form 2l-bromol6a-methyl-pregnane-3a,l7a-diol-ll,20-dione which is reacted with sodium iodide in acetone to product 2l-iodo- 16a-methyl-pregnane-3aJ7-diol-l1,20-dione which is converted without isolation to l6a-methyl-pregnane-3al7a, 2l-triol-l 1,20-dione ZI-acetate by reaction with anhydrous potassium acetate; this compound is reacted with chromium trioxide in pyridine to form lfia-methyl-pregnane- :,21 diol 3,ll,20-trione 21 acetate. The lfia-methylpregnane-l7u,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione 2t acetate is reacted with bromine in glacial acetic acid-chloroform to produce 4-bromo 16a methyl-pregnane-l7a,2l diol-3,1l-20- trione, which is then reacted with semicarbazide to form l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-17a.2t-diol-3,l1,20-trione 3,20bissemicarbazone ZI-acetate. This 3,20-bis-semicarbazone is reacted with sodium borohydride to form l6a-methyl-4- pregnene-llfi,l7a,2l-triol 3,20-dione 3,20-bis-semicarbazone which is hydrolyzed under acid conditions to form l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-l 1B,l7a,21-lll01 3,20 dione; this compound is reacted with esterifying agents as for example benzoic anhydride or lower alkanoic anhydrides to form the corresponding 21-ester derivatives.

The l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-l7m,2 l-diol-3,l 1.20-trione- 3,20-bis-semicarbazone 2l-acetate is reacted with potassium bicarbonate or potassium hydroxide in aqueous methanol to form 16a-methyl-4-pregnene-17a,2l-diol-3, 11,20-trione 3,20-bis-semicarbazone which is then hydrolyzed under acid conditions to produce 16tz-methyl-4- pregnene-l7a,2l-diol 3,11,20-trione 2l-free alcohol; this compound is esterified using the above-mentioned esterifying agents to produce the corresponding 2l-ester derivatives.

The l6a-methyl-4-pregnene llfi,l7a,2l triol-3,20-dione, upon reaction with acetic anhydride in pyridine, gives the corresponding 2l-acetate which is reacted with methane sulfonyl chloride followed by potassium acetate, or phosphorus oxychloride, to produce 16a-mcthyl-4,9(l1)- pregnadiene-l7a,2l-diol-3,20-dione ZI-acetate; the latter compound is reacted with hypobromous acid to produce 9a-bromo-l6a-methyl 4 pregnene 1lr3,l7a,2l triol-3, 20-dione 2l-acetate which is reacted with anhydrous potassium acetate in ethanol to produce l6a-methyl-9,llepoxy-4pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,20-diole 2l-acetate. This 9,1l-epoxide is then reacted with hydrogen fluoride in tetrahydrofuran to produce 16s-methyl-9a-fluoro-4-pregnenellp,l7a,2l -triol-3,20-dione ZI-acetate; this compound is reacted with a hydrolyzing agent to form 16- methyl-9a-fiuoro-4-pregnene lll3,l7a,2l triol 3,20-dione Zl-free alcohol. This 2l-free alcohol is reacted with esterifying agents such as benzoic anhydride, lower alkanoic anhydrides and the like to form the corresponding Zl-ester derivatives.

The 16a-methyl-9a-fiuoro-4-pregnene-l 1B,l7a.2l-triol- 3,20-dione ZI-acetate is reacted with chromium trioxide in pyridine to form l6a-methyl-9a-fiuoro-4-pregnene-l7a, 2l-diol-3,ll,20-trione 2l-acetate which, upon reaction with a hydrolyzing agent, forms l6a-methyl-9a-fluoro-4- pregnerte-l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione 2l-free alcohol. This 2l-free alcohol is reacted with esterifying agents such as benaoic anhydride, lower alkanoic anhydrides and the like to form the corresponding 2l-ester derivatives.

Thus, these presently invented l6-methyl-l1-oxygen ated-4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol 3,20 dione compounds include l6a-methyl-4-pregnene 170:,2l diol-3,l 1,20-trione and 2l-esters thereof, and particularly 2l-lower hydrocarbon carbonyl esters as for example 16a-methyl-4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,lLZO-trione 2l-benzoate; l6a-methyl- 4'pregnene-l7a,21-diol-3,l 1,20-trione Zl-lower alkanoates such as l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,11,20-trione 2l-acetate; 16a. methyl-4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20- trione 21-propionate; lfia-methylt-pregnene-l lfl,l7a,2l triol-3,20-diorte and 21-esters thereof, and particularly 2l-lower hydrocarbon carbonyl esters as for example 16:- methyl-4-pregnene llfl,l7a,2l triol-3,20-dione 21-benzoate; l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-l 1B, 1 7a.2l-triol-3,20-dione 2l-lower alkanoates such as l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-l1p, 17a,2ltriol 3,20 dione 2l-acetate; l6a-methyl-4-pregnene llfl,l7m,2l triol-3,20-dione ZI-propionate; 16amethyl-9a-fiuoro-4 pregene 1712.21 diol-3,ll,20-trione and 2l-esters thereof, and particularly 21-lower hydrocarbon carbonyl esters as for example, l6a-methyl-9afluoro-4-pregnene-l7,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione 2l-benzoate; l6a-methyl-9a-fiuoro-4-pregnene 171:,21 diol-3,ll,20- trione 2l-lower alkanoates such as l6a-methyl-9a-fluoro- 4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol 3,11,20- trione 2i-acetate; 16amethyl-9a-fluoro-4-pregnene 17:1,2! dial-3,1 1,20-trione 2l-propionate; l6a-methyl-9a-fluoro-4-pregnene-llfl,l7a, 2l-triol-3,20-dione and 2l-esters thereof, and particularly 2l-lower hydrocarbon carbonyl esters thereof, as for example 16u-methyl-9a-fluoro-4-pregnene-llB.l7a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione 2l-benzoate; l6a-methy1-9a-fluoro-4pregnenel1B,l7,2l-triol-3,20-dione 2l-lower alkanoates such as 16a-methyl-9a-fluoro-4-pregnene llfi,l7a,21 triol-3,20- dione ZI-acetate; l6a-methyl-9a-fluoro-4-pregnene-11p, l7a,2I-triol-3,20-dione 21-propionate and the like.

In accordance with the present invention and utilizing the preferred strains of Schizomycetes microorganisms, the [a -lldehydrogenation of the lfi-methyl-ll-oxygenated-4-pregnene l7a,2l diol-3,2,0dione compound is effected by contacting the steroid compound with the Schizomycetes microorganisms themselves or, if preferred, [the] with enzyme systems of Schizomycetes microorganisms whereby the hydrogen attached to the C-1 and 0-2 carbon atoms is selectively removed to produce the desired A -steroid substantially uncontaminated by unwanted byproducts. When the lfi-methyl-ll-oxygenated- 4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,20-dione compound is subjected to the dehydrogenating activity of the preferred dehydrogenating strains of Schizomycetes microorganisms, the corresponding lfi-methyl-ll-oxygenated-t,4-pregnadiene-17a,2l-diol- 3,20 dione compound is obtained directly and in high yield.

The presently-invented microbiological dehydrogenation procedure is conducted by contacting the l6-methylll-oxygenatedA-pregnene 17a,21 diol-3,20-dione compound with the dehydrogenating activity of Schizomycetes microorganisms. This can be etfected by adding the stearoid compound as a solid, or as a solution in a solvent as for example a dialkyl ketone such as acetone, a dialkylformamide such as dimethyl-formamide, and the like, under sterile conditions to a culture of the microorganism in a nutrient medium and agitating the resulting mixture thereby bringing about growth of the microorganism and dehydrogenation of the steroid compound. The steroid can be added at the time the nutrient medium is inoculated with the culture of Schizomycetes microorganisms or, alternatively, may be added to an established culture. Instead of adding the steroid compound to the established culture in the nutrient medium, the cell growth from such established culture may be filtered from the broth, washed with distilled water, then suspended in buffered aqueous solution containing the lfi-methyl-lloxygenated-4-pregnene-17a,2l-diol-3,20-dione compound, and the resulting mixture agitated thereby effecting dehydrogenation of the steroid compound to form the corresponding l6-methyl-l l-oxygenated-l,4-pregnadiene-17a, 2i diol-3,20-dione. The latter is more readily recovered from this medium than from the mixture obtained when the steroid is incubated with the microorganism in the original nutrient medium. Alternatively, the l6-methylll-oxygenated-t-pregnene 17,2l diol-3,20-dione compound may be contacted with dehydrogenating enzyme preparations from the growth of Schizomycetes microorganisms.

The nutrient mediums used in carrying out this bacteriological dehydrogenation are those ordinarily utilized in the propagation of Schizomycetes microorganisms. The usual nutrients include a nitrogen and carbon source, inorganic salts and growth factors when required. The carbon can be provided by compounds such as acetates, lactates, and the like. The nitrogen can be provided by an ammonium salt, amino acids, or proteins such as soybeans, oats, yeast, yeast extracts, tryptic digest of casein, meat extract, blood meal, protein meat and bone scrap, salmon meal, fish meals, fish solubles, distillers solubles, and the like. If desired, the Schizomycetes microorganisms can be propagated using proteins (or amino acids) without any carbohydrate being present in the medium, in which case the proteins or amino acids serve as the source of both the carbon and nitrogen required by the microoganisms.

While, as noted hereinabove, the dehydrogenation of the lfi-methyl-ll-oxygenatedl-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,20- dione compound may be carried out using dehydrogenating enzyme preparations from the growth of Schizomycetes microorganisms, or by contacting the steroid compound with a suspension of an established culture in distilled water, it is ordinarily preferred to add the 16- rnethyl-ll-oxygenated 4 pregnene l7a,21 diol-3,20- dione compound to a nutrient medium containing a 24-hour growth of Schizomycetes microorganisms. The proportion of steroid compound which may be added to the medium varies depending upon the particular substrate being dehydrogenated, but it is ordinarily preferred to employ a concentration of about 0.005% to 0.2% of l6-methyl ll oxygenated-4-pregnene 17,2l diol- 3,20-dione compound, although higher or lower concentrations may be employed, if desired. The culture containing the added steroid compound is then incubated, [preferable] preferably with agitation and aeration for an additional period which ordinarily varies between about 10 hours and 50 hours although shorter or longer fermentation times may be advantageous for the dehydrogenation of particular substrates. In view of the fact that prolonged fermentations may result in destruction of a portion of the a -dehydrogenated steroid product, it is ordinarily preferred to employ a fementation time of about 10 hours to 24 hours which, depending upon the steroid substrate, has been found to result in maximal yields of the a -dehydrogenated steroid product.

After completion of the dehydrogenation process, the ItS-methyl-Il-oxygenated 1,4 pregnadiene-lhJl-diol- 3,20-dione product is conveniently recovered from the fermented broth by extraction with a water-immiscible solvent as for example a chlorinated hydrocarbon such as chloroform, a ketone such as methyl isobutyl ketone, an alkyl alkanoate such as ethyl acetate, and the like.

The extract of A -dehydrogenated steroid product and any unreactcd starting material which may be present is conveniently purified by chromotography using silical gel, activated alumina, and the like or, if desired, by means of paper chromatograms. After separation of the dehydrogenated product from unrcacted starting material, the product can be purified further, if desired, by recrystallization from a solvent such as ethyl acetate, ethyl acetatepretrolcum ether, and the like.

In accordance with this microbiological dehydrogenation method, and using the l6-methyl-ll-oxygenated-4- pregnene l7a.2l diol 3,20 dione starting materials enumerated hereinbelow, there are obtained l6-methy1-1 loxygenated-l,4-pregnadiene 17a,2l-diol-3,20-dione compounds such as l6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-17,2l-di0l-3. 1l,20-trione; 16a-methyl 1,4 pregnadiene-llfl,l7a.2ltriol-3,20-dione; l6a-methyl-9a-fiuoro l7e,2l diol-3,l l, 20-trione and lfiwmethyl-9a-fluoro-llfi,l7a,2l-triol-3,20- dione.

Irrespective of whether the l6-methyl-l l-oxygenated-4- pregnene l7a,2l dil-3,20-dione starting material employed in this microbiological dehydrogenation reaction is a 21-free alcohol or a 21-ester thereof, the product obtained is the corresponding 16-methyl-ll-oXygenated-l, d-pregnadiene l7a.2l diol 3.20 dione 2l-free alcohol. since any 2l-ester grouping which may be present is by drolyzed during the microbiological dehydrogenation reaction. These lS-methyl-l l-oxygenated-l,4-pregnadiene-l7a, 2l-diol-3.20-dione 2 l-free alcohols can be converted to the corresponding 2l-esters by reaction with an acylating agent e.g. a phosphorylating agent, a lower hydrocarbon carboxylic acid acylating agent such as benzoic anhydride, tertiary butyl acetyl chloride, a lower alkanoic anhydried or lower alkanoyl halide such as acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, a polybasic acid anhydride such as B,B-dimethyl-glutaric anhydride, succinic anhydride, and the like.

In accordance with this acylation procedure there are obtained l6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-17a,2l-diol-3,l1,20- trion 2 l-esters as, for example,

16a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-l7a,2l-diol-3,1l,20-trione 2 1 phosphate;

lfia-methyl-l.4-pregnadiene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione 2l-lower hydrocarbon carbonyl esters such as lfia-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-l7a,2 l-diol-3,l 1,20-trione benzoate;

la-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-17a,2l-diol-3,l 1,20-trione ZI-tertiary butyl acetate;

lfiat-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-17a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione 2l-lower alkanoate such as 16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-17,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione 2 [-acetate;

16a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-17e,2 l-diol-3,1 1,20-trione 2 l-propionate;

16a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-11fi,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione 2l-esters as, for example,

16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-1 1fi,17,2 l-triol-3,20-dione 2 l-phosphate;

1 Ga-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-l 1p,17,2l-triol-3,20-dione 21-lower hydrocarbon carbonyl esters, such as 16a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-l1fi,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione 2l-tertiary butyl acetate;

1 Ga-methyi- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-l 1B. 1 71,2 l-triol-3,20-dione 21-lower alkanoates such as IGu-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-l 1B, 1 7a,2 l-triol-3,20-dione 2 1 -acetate;

lfia-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-l 1p, 1 7a,2 l-triol-3,20-dione ZI-propionate;

9e-fluoro-16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-17a-2l-diol- 3,11,20-trione 21 esters as, for example,

9m-fluoro- 1 6a-methylt ,4-pregnadiene-17a-2l-diol- 3,1 1,20-trione 2l-phosphate;

9e-fluoro-l6e-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-l7a-2l-diol- 3,11,20-trione 21-1ower hydrocarbon carbonyl esters such as 9a-fluorol fia-methyl-1,4-pregnadienel'Ia-Z l-diol- 3,11,20-trione ZI-benzoate;

9a-fluoro-l(Sm-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-l7a-21-dio 3,11,20-trione 21-tertiary butyl acetate;

9e-fluoro-lfiat-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-l7m-21-diol 3.1 1,20-trione Zl-lower alkanoates such as 9a-fluoro l fiu-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-17a-2 l-diol- 3,11,20-trione ZI-acetate;

9a-fluoro-16amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-lh-2 I-diol- 3,l1,20-trione ZI-propionate;

9a-fluoro-16umethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-l lfi,17a,21-tri0l- 3,20-dione 21-esters as, for example,

9a-fluoro-16a-methyl-t,4-pregnadiene-1 1B, 17,2 l-triol- 3,20-dione 21-lower hydrocarbon carbonyl esters, such as 9|1-flt10l'0- l 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-l lfl, l 7a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione Zl-tertiary butyl acetate;

9 -fiuoro-1fia-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-1 lfl,l7a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione 2l-lower alkanoates such as 9a-fluorol 6e-methyll,4-pregnadiene-l lfi,17a,21-triol- 3,20-dione 2l-propionate, and the like.

Alternatively, instead of the above-mentioned microbiological dehydrogenation method, the 16 methyl-4- pregnene 17a ol 3,20-dione compound, or, if preferred, the corresponding saturated 16 methyl [prenane] pregnene-l7n:-0l-3,20-diOne compound is reacted with selenium dioxide thereby effecting ring A dehydrogenation to form the corresponding lfi-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-l7- ol-3,20 dione compound. This selenium dioxide dehydrogenation procedure is conveniently conducted by bringing the 16 methyl 4 pregnene l7a-ol-3,20-dione compound, or 16 methyl-pregnane 17a-ol-3,20-dione compound; and selenium dioxide together in the presence of an organic solvent such as for example dioxane, an alcohol solvent such as t-butanol, etc., and heating the mixture at an elevated temperature. When t-butanol is used as the solvent, it is ordinarily preferred to carry out this reaction at the boiling point of the solvent, under which conditions the reaction is ordinarily complete in about fifteen hours. The reaction mixture is ordinarily filtered, thereby removing metallic selenium, and the filtered solution is evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give the desired l6-methyl 1,4 pregnadiene 171-01-330- dione compound. The crude material obtained in this way is conveniently purified by paper strip chromatography in accordance with the procedure outlined hereinabove in connection with the purification of the 16-methyl 1,4 pregnadiene 17a ol 3,20 dione compounds produced by microbiological dehydrogenation.

The following examples illustrate methods of carrying out the present invention but it is to be understood that these examples are given for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

Example 1 Fifty milliliters of a nutrient medium are prepared having the following composition:

Cerelose -gl Edamin gl Cornsteep liquor ml 0.25 Distilled water to make 50 ml.

This medium is adjusted to pH 6.5 with KOH, sterilized and inoculated with about 2.5 to 5 m1. of a culture of Bacillus sphaericus (ATCO-245) microorganisms, and the inoculated culture is then incubated at a temperature of 28 C., with agitation, for a 24-hour period. To the resulting culture is added a solution containing 10 mg. of 16a methyl 4 pregnene l7a,21 diol 3,11,20- trione dissolved in 0.2 ml. of dimethylformamide. The culture containing the steroid compound is incubated, with agitation, for an [addition] additional period of about 24 hours at 28 C.

The fermentation broth is extracted with four 50 ml.- portions of ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extracts are combined and evaporated in vacuo to a volume of about ml. The concentrated solution is then streaked on paper chromatograms which are developed using dimethylformamide as the stationary phase and 50% benzene\50% chloroform as the mobile phase. After 8 hours development in a descending system, the upper bands for each chromatogram, corresponding to the A dehydro derivative, are cut otf, extracted with methanol, and the methanol-extracted material is again subjected to streakpaper chromatography. The upper band is again cut off, thoroughly dried, extracted with methanol, and the methanol extract is evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material is recrystallized from ethyl acetatepetroleum ether to give 16a. methyl 1,4-pregnadiene- 17a-2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione.

The 16 methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-17e,2l-diol-3,l1.20- trione is treated with acetic anhydride and pyridine to give the 21-acetyl derivative, which is purified by recrystallization from benzene-petroleum ether to give substantially pure 16 methyl 1,4 pregnadiene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20- trione Zl-acetate.

Example 2 Fifty [millimeters] milliliters of a nutrient medium are prepared having the following composition:

This medium is adjusted to pH 6.5 with KOH, sterilized and inoculated with about 2.5 to 5 ml. of a culture of Nocardia asteroides (ATCC 9970) microorganisms, and the inoculated culture is then incubated at a temperature of 28' C., with agitation, for a 24-hour period. To the resulting culture is added a solution containing mg. of 16a. methyl 4-pregnene-11fi,17,21-triol-3,20-dione dissolved in 0.2 ml. of dimethylformamide. The culture containing the steroid compound is incubated, with agitation, for an additional period of about 24 hours at 28' C.

The fermentation broth is extracted with four 50 ml. portions of ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extracts are combined and evaporated in vacuo to a volume of about 5 ml. The concentrated solution is then streaked on paper chromatograms which are developed using dimethylformamide as the stationary phase and 50% benzene- $0% chloroform as the mobile phase. The upper bands for each chromatogratn corresponding to the A dehydrO derivative are cut oil, extracted with methanol, and the methanol-extracted material is again subjected to streakpaper chromatography. The upper band is again out off, thoroughly dried, extracted with methanol, and the methanol extract is evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material is recrystallized from ethyl acetate-petroleum ether to give l6a-methyl-L4-pregnadiene-l1fl,17e,21-triol- 3,20-dione.

The 16 methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-l tfl,l7e-2l-triol-3,20- dione is treated with acetic anhydride and pyridine, and the acetylated product recrystallized from benzene-petroleum ether to give substantially pure l6a-methyl-l,4- pregnadiene-l1fi,l7u-2l-triol-3,20-dione 2 l-acetate.

Example 3 Fifty milliliters of a nutrient medium are prepared having the following composition:

Cerelose g- 1 Edamin -g l Cornsteep liquor ml 0.25

Distilled water to make 50 ml.

This medium is adjusted to pH 6.5 with KOH, sterilized and inoculated with about 2.5 to 5 ml. of a culture of Mycobacterium smegmatis (NRRL 8-1667) microorganisms, and the inoculated culture is then incubated at a temperature of 28 C., with agitation, for a 24-hour period. To the resulting culture is added a solution containing 10 mg. of lfie-methyl-9e-fluoro-4-[pregnent] pregvnene-lllEt,l7t=t,2l-triol 3,20 dione dissolved in 0.2 ml. of dimethylformamide. The culture containing the steroid compound is incubated, with agitation, for an additional period of about 24 hours at 28 C.

The fermentation broth is extracted with three 50 ml.- portions of ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate [extracs] extracts are combined and evaporated in vacuo to a volume of about 5 ml. The concentrated solution is then used to prepare streak-paper chromatograms which are developed utilizing dimethylformamide as the stationary liquid phase and 50% benzene-50% chloroform as the mobile liquid phase. Two bands are secured, one of which (corresponding to the more mobile component) shows the ultraviolet adsorption maximum characteristic of the l6a-methyl-9u-fluoro-4-pregnene llB,17a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione starting material, and the other (the less mobile component) shows an ultraviolet adsorption maximum at about 245 m The paper chromatogram is dried, and the band corresponding to the 245 m adsorption is cut otf and extracted with methanol. The material extracted [wtih] with methanol is again subjected to streak-paper chromatography, using paper which has been extracted for 48 hours with methanol, and employing the chloroformformamide system previously employed. The resulting chromatogram shows only a trace band corresponding to the starting material with the major band having an ultraviolet adsorption maximum of 245 mi. The paper chromatogram is thoroughly dried, and the band corresponding to the 245 m adsorption maximum is cut off and extracted with methanol. The methanol extract is evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give l6e-methyl-9a-fluoro- 1,4 [pragnadieue] pregnadiene-l lfl,l7a,2l-il'iOl-3,20-dione.

The 16a methyl-9a-fluoro-1,4-pregnadiene-1 |fi,17a,2ltriol-3,20-dione is reacted with excess acetic anhydride in pyridine to give the ZI-acetyl derivative which is purified by recrystallization from benzene-petroleum ether to give substantially pure l6e-methyl-9m fluorol,4-pregnadiene- 1lfl,l7a,2l-triol-3,20-dione ZI-acetate.

Example 4 The fermentation procedures of Examples 1, 2 and 3 are repeated but using, in place of the microorganisms and the 16e-methylll-oxygenated-4pregnene-17u,2l-diol- 3,20-dione starting material employed in those examples, the microorganism strains and steroid starting compounds indicated in the table hereinbelow. The resulting fermentation broths are treated in accordance with the isolation methods described in Examples 1, 2 and 3 to give, for the particular microorganism strain and steroid substrate used,

the 16a methyl 11 oxygenated-l,4-pregnadiene-l7a, 2l diol-3,20-dione indicated in the following table:

Expt. Bacillus sphaerlens lo-methyl-ll-o enated-lgl-pregnadiens-U 21- No. Substrate microorganisms diol-lm-dlone p r duct 1 loa-methyl-i-pregnene-l'la, 21-di0l-3,11,2D-trlone...-. ATCC-705L le-methyl-l,l-pregnodiene-l'leJl-diol-S,ll,20-trlone. 2 ldwmethyH-pregnenc-llflve,2l-triol-3,2( dlone..-.. [FCC-245 Mai-methyl-l,l-pregnadiene-1w,17e,2l-trlol-3,20- 8 l6a-rnethyl-kpregnene-l1B.l7a,21'triol-3,20-dione 2i- A'ICC-4525 i5 3:

ace a e. 4 16n-methyl-e-pregnenc-Ua,2l-diol-3,ll,20-trione NICO-7055 Namathyl-lJ-pregnedlenolh-zl-tilol-adl.20-

one. B l6n-rnethyl-ile.fluonH-pregnene-17e,21diol-3,ll,ma'rcc-ross loe-methyl-h-tlnoro-lA-pregnldlene-li-,2l-dioltrione 2l-acetate. lJLw-tdone. l6a'rnHhyl-Dn-tiuoro-i-pl'egnene-llfl,"n.2l-trl0l- ATCC-ML.................--.. lh-niethyma-tluoro-lA-pregnadlene-lmJhJl- 'diorie. victim-dime. 7 lea-metbyl-Qe-fluoro-t-pregnene-lld,l7e,2l-trlol- ATCC-TM o.

8,2J-dionc 21-ecetate.

Nocardla microorganisms 8 1 e-methyl-t-pregnene-l1fi,l7a,2l-trlol-3,20-dlone.... N. blechrelli a'rco-esie loai-rnethyl-l,l-pregnadiene-llfllhJl-trlol-BJO- one. B loa-methyH-pregnene-Wa,2l-diol-8,ll,2t)-dione N. globerula A'ICC-M lite -mothyl-lA-pregnadiene-lhJl-diol-d,,2)-

one. 10 lfltargiethyl-oa-ilnoro-d-pregnane-17e,21-dlol-8,ll,20- N. lelshmnnii NICO-6855 IBrRe thyrll-Qa-fluoro-l,e-pregnadiene-l7|,2l-diolne. t one. 11 lon-methyl-Qa-fluoro-d-pregnene-llflfla,21'trlol- N. iorrnica HEEL-2470 lea-methyl-h-fluoro-lA-pregnadiene-l15,17. t-trloll,20-dione. 3,20-dione.

M eobaeterlum croolgenism 12 lon-methyl-i-pregnene-llB,l7a2l-trlol-l,20dione..... M. phlei [FCC-12,298 lh-rnetbyld,l-pregnadiene-ll:,l7A,al-tflol-8,20-

one. 13 llla-xnethyl-l-pregneno-l?a,2l-dlol-3,ll,2o-trlone M. laetlcola NICO-12.2w lhmethyl-l,t-pregnndiene-lloall7,2l ilol4,l1,2o-

t one. 14 loe-methyl-tiI-Hnoro-Q-pregnene-IIIJI-diolJJLN- M.tuberculolll ATCC-l2,20i... lon-rnethyl-h-fluoro-l,t-pregnadlenol'hQl-dioltrlone. 1.11.20-trtono.

Example 5 to give loa-methyl-lA-pregnadiene-llfl,l7a,2l-triol-3,20-

To a solution of 110 mg. of lfia-methyl-4-pregnene-l7e- 2l-diol-3.ll,20-trione ZI-acetate in 6 ml. t-butanol, 0.01 m]. glacial acetic acid and 0.03 ml. of acetic anhydride is added 70 mg. of selenious acid (l-I,Se0,). The mixture is heated to the boiling point overnight, another 50 mg. of selenious acid is added, and the heating is continued for an additional 24 hours. The solution is decanted from metallic selenium and evaporated to an oil which is then dissolved in ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and then with water until neutral, and dried. The solvent is evaporated from the dried solution to give an oil which is dissolved in benzene and adsorbed from this solvent on acid-washed alumina. The adsorbate is eluted with ether-petroleum ether and then with mixtures of ether and chloroform, increasingly rich in chloroform. The 4:6 ether-chloroform eluates are combined, evaporated to dryness, and the residual material recrystallized from ethyl acetate-ether to give l6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-l7a,2l-diol 3,11,20- trione Zl-acetate; M.P. [203] 208-212 C.

Example 6 To a solution of 110 mg. of lfia-methylt-pregnene- 1lp,l7e-2l-triol-3,20-dione ill-acetate in 6 ml. t-butanol, 0.01 ml. glacial acetic acid and 0.03 ml. of acetic anhydried is added 70 mg. of selenious acid. The mixture is heated to the boiling point overnight, another 50 mg. of selenious acid is added, and the heating is continued for an additional 24 hours. The solution is decanted from metallic selenium and evaporated to an oil which is then dissolved in ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution ts washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and then with water until neutral, and dried. The solvent is evaporated from the dried solution to give an oil which is dissolved in benzene and adsorbed from this solvent on acid-washed alumina. The adsorbate is eluted with ether-petroleum ether and then with mixtures of ether and chloroform dione 2l-acetate.

Example 7 In accordance with the selenious acid dehydrogenation procedure of Example 6, but using 9a,-flllOl'0-l6a-melhyl- 4-[prengene] pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20 trione 2lacetate as the starting material in place of the 16mmethyl-4-pregnene-l7a,2l diol 3,11,20-trione Zl-acetate utilized in Example 6, there is obtained 9c-fluOl0-16amethyl-1,4 pregnadiene l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione 21- acetate.

Example 8 In accordance with the selenious acid dehydrogenation procedure of Example 6, but using 9a-tluoro-l6a-methyl- 4-pregnene llfl,l7n,2l triol-3,20-dione Zl-acetate as the starting material in place of the 16-methyl-4-pregnene- 17,2l-di0l 3,11,20 trione ZI-acetate utilized in Examplf 6, there is obtained 9-iluoro-l6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadienel lp,l7n,2l-triol-3,20-dione 2 l-aoetate.

Example 9 To a solution of I10 mg. of ISui-methylpregnane- 17,2l-diol-3,ll,20-trione ZI-acetate in 6 ml. t-butanol, 0.01 ml. glacial acetic acid and 0.03 ml. of acetic anhydride is added 70 mg. of selenious acid. The mixture is heated to the boiling point overnight, another 50 mg. of selenious acid is added. and the heating is continued for an additional 24 hours. The solution is decanted from metallic selenium and evaporated to an oil which is then dissolved in ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and then with water until neutral, and dried. The solvent is evaporated from the dried solution to give an oil which is dissolved in benezene and adsorbed from this solvent on acid-washed alumina. The adsorbate is eluted with ether-petroleum ether and then with mixtures of ether and chloroform, increasingly rich in chloroform. The

increasingly rich in chloroform. The 4:6 ether-chloro- 7 4:6 ether-chloroform eluatee are combined, evaporated to dryness. and the residual material recrystallized from ethyl acetate-ether to give 1Ga-methyI-IA-[prgnadiene] pregnadiene-Ua-Zl-diol [2] 3,11,20-trione Zl-[actate] acetate.

The Ida-methyl pregnane-l7a',2I-diol 3,II ZO-trione ZI-acetnte and I6-methyl-1I-0xygenated-4-pregnene-l7a, 2I-dlol-3,20-dione compounds used as starting materials in Example: I to 9 herein above are prepared, starting with the known l6-pregnene-3a-ol-l1,20-di0ne 3-acemte, in accordance with the following procedure:

Example 10 A solution of 10.22 g. of methyl iodide in 50 ml. of ether is added to 1.73 g. of magnesium in 50 ml. of ether. To the resulting etheral solution of methyl magnesium iodide. maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere. is added 0.045 g. of anhydrous cuprous chloride. To this mixture is added, over a period of about one hour, during which period the reaction mixture is stirred vigorously and maintained at approximately room temperature, a solution of about 5.6 g. of 16-pregnene-3a-ol-l 1,20- dione 3-acetate in 175 ml. of ether. A white granular solid separates during this addition. The resulting mixture is heated under gentle reflux for two hours after which the reaction mixture is cooled, and 125 ml. of saturated, aqueous ammonium chloride solution is added followed by 200 ml. of ether. The layers are separated, and the ethereal layer is washed with three 50 ml. portions of water. The washed ethereal layer is dried, and the solvent evaporated in vacuo to give a brown viscous oil. The latter material is heated for minutes at 60- 70 C. with a mixture of 25 ml. acetic anhydride and 25 ml. pyridine and the acetylated product is purified by chromatography on acid-washed alumina followed by crystallization from petroleum ether to give approximate- 1y 1.5 g. of substantially pure lfia-methyl-pregnane-ltaol- 11,20dione 3-acetate.

To a solution of 0.8 g. of 1fia-methyl-pregnene-iin-ol- 11,20-dione S-acetate in 40 ml. of methanol is added 1.5 ml. of concentrated aqueous hydrochloric acid and the resulting solution is stirred overnight at about 25 C. The reaction solution is evaporated in vacuo at 25 C. to a small volume, and the concentrated solution is poured into 50 ml. of ice water. The white solid which precipitates is recovered by filtration, washed with water and recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give Mar-methylpregnane-3a-ol-l 1,20-dione.

A solution of 22 g. of 16a-methyl-pregnane-h-ol- 11,20dione ZI-acetate and l g. of p-toluene-sulfonic acid in 250 ml. of acetic anhydride is heated at reflux under nitrogen for a period of approximately 3 days. Two grams of potassium acetate (anhydrous) is added, and the volatile solvents are separated by distillation in vacuo. The residual material is extracted with benzene, and the benzene extract is filtered to remove insoluble material. The benzene extracts are evaporated to a volume of 100 ml., and petroleum ether is added to the cloud-point. The resulting [solutiton] solution is adsorbed on 660 g. of acid-washed alumina; the alumina adsorbate is then washed with 2 liters of petroleum ether. The adsorbate is then eluted with 85:15 petroleum ether-ether mixture, and the first four liters of eluate is collected, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give a mixture of enol acetates containing 16 methyl-l7(20)-pregnene-3a-20- diol-llone 3,20-diacetate. This mixture of enolates. weighing approximately 14 g., is dissolved in 50 ml. of benzene and treated with an [excses] excess of perbenzoic acid over 16-hour period. The reaction mixture is shaken with dilute aqueous potassium hydroxide solution until the benzene layer is free of perbenzoic acid; the benzene layer is then washed with water until neutral, dried, and the solvent evaporated in vacuo to give a crystalline material, 16a methyl-l7a,20-epoxy-pregnane-3a,20-di0l-llone 3,20-diacetate. The latter material is dissolved, without purification, in 200 m1. of methanol, 120 ml. of water and 10 g. of potassium bicarbonate, and the resulting solution is heated at reflux under nitrogen for a period of i6 hours. The methanol is evaporated from the hydrolysis solution in vacuo, and the residual oil is extracted from the resulting aqueous solution with chloroform. The chloroform extract is washed with water to neutrality, dried, and the chloroform is evaporated under reduc d pressure. The residual oil is triturated with ether, and the crystalline material thus formed is recrystallized from ethyl acetatepetroleum ether to give lfia-methyl-pregnane-iia,17a-diol- 11,20-dione.

To a solution of 7.0 g. of 16a methyI-pregnane-h, 17a-diol-l1,20-dione in 50 ml. of chloroform is added dropwise with stirring a solution containing 3.36 g. of bromine in 24.2 ml. of chloroform over a period of about 60 minutes. The reaction mixture is dissolved in 200 ml. of ethyl acetate, and the resulting solution washed with water until neutral, dried, and the solvents evaporated therefrom in vacuo. The residual crude material is dissolved in a minimum quantity of ethyl acetate, the resulting solution is diluted with ether, and the mixture is stirred until crystals form. The crystalline product is recovered by filtration and washed, by slurrying, with 50:50 ether-petroleum ether mixture to give about 5 g. of 21 bromo-l6a-methyl-pregnane-3a,17w diol-11,20-dione.

This 5 g. of 21 bromo-lfia-methyl-pregnane-llm-17adiol-l 1,20-dione is mixed with 5.0 g. of anhydrous potassium acetate, 4.0 g. of sodium iodide and 0.03 ml. of glacial acetic acid, and ml. of acetone is added to the resulting mixture. This mixture is then heated at reflux, with stirring, for a period of about 16 hours, and the reaction mixture is cooled, filtered, and the insoluble material is washed with acetone. The filtered solution is evaporated in vacuo thereby removing the solvents, and the residual material is slurried with water, and the aqueous mixture extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract is washed with water to neutrality, dried. and the solvent is evaporated in vacuo to give an oil. This oil is crystallized from ether, and recrystallized from ethyl acetate-ether to give 164: methyl-pregnane-3a-l7a, 2l-triol-1 1,20-dione 21-acetate.

A solution of 400 mg. of l6a-methyl-pregnane-3a,17a, 2l-triol-1l,20-dione 2l-acetate in 4 ml. of pyridine is added to the complex formed by the addition of 400 mg. of chromium trioxide to 4 ml. of pyridine. The mixture is swirled until thoroughly mixed, and then allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture is poured into water, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ether, and then twice with ethyl acetate. The combined ether and ethyl acetate extracts are washed with dilute aqueous sulfuric acid at about 0 C., and then with water until neutral. The organic solvent layer is then dried, the solvents are evaporated therefrom in vacuo, and the residual crystalline material is purified by the crystallization from ethyl acetate to give la-methyl-pregnane- 1 7a,2 1-diol-3,l 1,20-trione 2 l-acetate.

To 100 mg. of IGa-methyI-pregnane-17,2l-di0l-3,11, 20-trione ZI-acetate dissolved in 2 ml. of chloroform and 2.25 ml. of glacial acetic acid, at a temperature of 55' C., is added two drops of a 0.001 N solution of dry HBr in glacial acetic acid. To about 0.38 ml. of 0.001 N H81 in glacial acetic acid, at 55 C., is added 0.43 ml. of a solution containing 40 mg. of bromine in chloroform, and the resulting solution is added, over about a 10-minute period, to the solution of the steroid, while maintaining the reaction mixture at about -55 C. The reaction mixture is allowed to stand at -55' C. for about one-half hour; a solution containing 250 mg. of sodium acetate in 3 ml. of water is added, and the resulting mixture is stirred for about 5 minutes. Five milliliters of water are then added, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution to neutrality, then with water, dried, and the solvent is evaporated in vacuo.

The residual material is dissolved in 2 ml. of acetone, and to the solution is added 25 mg. of sodium bromide and 1 ml. of water. The resulting mixture is heated under reflux for a period of about 5 hours, the reaction mixture is cooled, and the acetone is evaporated in vacuo. The residual material is extracted into ether, the ether extract is washed with water, dried, and the solvent is evaporated to a volume of about 1 ml.; petroleum ether is added to this solution, and the crystalline material which separates is recovered and dried to give approximately 90 mg. of 4 bromo-l6a-methyl-pregnane-l7a,21-diol-3,l l,20-trione 21-acetate.

A mixture of 48 mg. of semicarbazide, 48 mg. of 4- bromo 16a methyl-pregnane-l7a,2l-diol-3,11,20-trione 2l-acetate, 0.6 ml. of ethanol is heated under reflux in contact with a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of about three days, and the reaction solution is evaporated to a small volume, diluted with water and the crystalline material recovered and purified by recrystallization from aqueous methanol to give l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-l7a,21- diol 3,11,20 trione-3,20-bis-semicarbazone 21-acetate. Fifty milligrams of 16a methyl-4-pregnene-17;,21-diol- 3,11,20 trione 3,20-bis-semicarbazone ZI-acetate is dissolved in a mixture of 1.0 cc. of benzene and 1.0 cc. of 1.1 N methanolic potassium hydroxide, and the solution is allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of about 10 minutes. The solution is then acidified with acetic acid, the benzene is evaporated in vacuo. and the residual material is recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give l6;- methyl 4 pregnene-l7e,2l-diol-3,ll,20-trione-3,20bissemicarbazone.

A mixture of 60 mg. of l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-l711-21- diol-3,ll,20-trione-3,ZO-bis-semicarbazone, 0.2 ml. of dimethylt'ormamide, 0.6 ml. of chloroform, and L5 ml. of 1.0 N aqueous hydrochloric acid is heated under reflux for a period of about three hours. The resulting two-phase system is cooled to a temperature of approximately C., and the layers are separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with chloroform, and the cholroform extracts are combined with the original chloroform-dimethylt'ormamide solution. The combined organic layer is washed with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate, and the chloroform and dimethylformamide in the combined organic layer is replaced with ethyl acetate by evaporation in vacuo. Petroleum ether is added and the resulting solution is subjected to a partition chromatogram using aqueous methanol as the stationary phase and benzene-chloroform as the moving phase to give 16e-methyl-4-pregnene 17a,2l-diOl-3,l 1,20-trione.

Example 11 A solution of 45 mg. of l6e-methyl-4-pregnene-t7a, 21 diol-3,11,20-trione-3,20-bis-semicarbazone ZI-acetate, 17 mg. of sodium borohydride, 1 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 0.3 ml. of water is maintained at reflux temperature for approximately one hour. The reaction solution is cooled to about 15 C., and the excess sodium borohydride decomposed by the addition of a solution of 27 mg. of glacial acetic acid in 0.2 ml. of water. The tetrahydrofuran is evaporated in vacuo, and the residual material is extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extracts are washed with a saturated salt solution, water, 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and again with water. The extracts are dried and the ethyl acetate evaporated in vacuo to give 16a methyl-4-pregnene-llfl-l'la, 2l-triol-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-semicarbazone.

A mixture of 60 mg. of 16u-methyl-4-pregnene-l1B. l7a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-semicarbazone, 0.2 ml. of dimethylformamide, 0.6 ml. of chloroform, and 1.5 ml. of 1.0 N aqueous hydrochloric acid is heated under reflux for a period of about three hours. The resulting twophase system is cooled to a temperature of approximately 15' C., and the layers are separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with chloroform, and the chloroform extracts are combined with the original chloroform-dimethylformamide solution. The combined organic layer is washed with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate, and the chloroform and dimethylformamide in the combined organic layer is replaced with ethyl acetate by evaporation in vacuo. Petroleum ether is added and the resu ting solution is subjected to a partition chromatogram using aqueous methanol as the stationary phase and benzene-chloroform as the moving phase to give l6e-methyl-4-pregnenel1,8,l7u,2l-triol-3,20-dione. The latter material is reacted with an excess of acetic anhydride in pyridine at room temperature for a period of about fifteen hours, and the crude acetylated product is recrystallized from ethyl ace tale to give l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-l1,6,l7e,2l-triol-3,20- dione 21-acetate.

Example 12 To a cooled solution of 600 mg. of l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-llp,l7a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 21 acetate in 5.0 ml. of dry pyridine is added 0.15 ml. of phosphorous oxychloride, and the mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of approximately 15 hours. The reaction solution is evaporated in vacuo at a temperature of about 20 C. to a volume of 2-3 ml. Seventeen milliliters of water is added slowly to the concentrated solution, with stirring, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate extracts are washed with water, then with dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid solution, again with water, and then with a dilute aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The washed ethyl acetate solution is dried, and the solvent is evaporated in vacuo; the residual material is triturated with ether, and the crystalline material is recrystallized from ethyl acetateether to give l6a-methyl 4,9(11) pregnadiene-l7n,2ldiol-3,20-dion Zl-acetate. A suspension of 330 mg. of 16amethyl 4,9( l l) pregnadiene-l7a,2l-diol-3,20-dione 21- acetate and 1.8 g. of N-bromo-succinimide in a mixture of 50 ml. of dioxane and 10 ml. of water is cooled to 10' C. Then with stirring, 10 ml. of cold 1.0 N aqueous perchloric acid is added. The temperature of the reaction mixture is allowed to rise to 15' C. and is maintained at this point for about two and one-half hours during which time the solid material slowly dissolves. The resulting yellow solution is treated with 1.0 ml. of allyl alcohol to discharge the color and the remaining N-bromo-succinimide, and the resulting solution is evaporated to a small volume in vacuo. The concentrated solution is diluted with water, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extracts are washed, dried and evaporated to dryness, and the residual material is crystallized from ethyl acetate-ether to give 9 bromo-l6a-methyl-4-pregnene- 11fi,l7,2 l-triol-3,20-dione 2 l-acetate.

A solution of 210 mg. of 9u-bromo-l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-llfi,l7e,2l-triol-3,20-dione 21 acetate and 240 mg. of potassium acetate in 10 ml. of absolute ethanol is heated under reflux for two hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, and evaporated in vacuo to a small volume. The concentrated aqueous mixture is extracted with three portions of ethyl acetate, and the combined ethyl acetate extracts are washed with water, dried, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material is crystallized from ethyl acetate-ether to give lfia-methyb 9, 1 1-epoxy-4-pregnene-1 7,2 l -diol-3,20-dione 2 l-acetate.

To a solution of 83 mg. of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in 4.7 ml. of ice-cold alcohol-free chloroform is added an ice-cold solution of 416 mg. of l6u-methyl-9,ll-epoxy-4 pregnene-l7,2l-diol-3,20-dione ill-acetate. The solution is mixed thoroughly and maintained at 0 C. for 2 hours. at the end of which time 13.0 ml. of ice-cold 20% aqueous sodium acetate is added, and the resulting mixture agitated vigorously. The layers are separated, and the chloroform layer is washed with water until free of acid, dried and the chloroform evaporated in vacuo. The residual material is crystallized from acetone-petroleum ether to give 16amethyl 9: fluoro-4 pregnene 11a, methyl-9c-fluoro-4- pregnene-l 1fl,17a,2 l-triol-3,20-dione ZI-acetate.

1 7 Example 13 Fifty milligrams of l6a-melhyl 9a fluoro-4-pregnenellfl,l7a,2l-U'l0l 3,20 dione ZI-acetate is dissolved in a mixture of 1.0 cc. of benzene and 1.0 cc. of l N methanolic potassium of hydroxide, and the solution is allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of about ten minutes. The solution is then acidified with acetic acid, the benzene is evaporated in vacuo, and the residual material is crystallized from ethyl acetate-ether to give 16amethyl-9-fiuoro-4-pregnene-l 1/3, l 7,2 l-triol-3 ,Z-dione.

Example 14 A solution of 400 mg. of 16a. methyl-9a-fiuoro-4- pregnene-l lfl,l7,2l-triol 3,20 dione 2l-acetate in 4 ml. of pyridine is added to the complex formed by the addition of 400 mg. of chromium trioxide to 4 ml. of pyridine. The mixture is swirled until thoroughly mixed and then allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture is poured into water ,and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ether and then twice with ethyl acetate. The combined ether and ethyl acetate extracts are washed wih dilute aqueous sulfuric acid at about C., and then with water until neutral. The organic solvent layer is then dried, the solvents are evaporated therefrom in vacuo, and the residual crystalline material is purified by the crystalization from ethyl acetate-ether to give 161:- methyl 9e fluoro-4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione ZI-acetate.

Example 15 Fifty milligrams of l6e-methyl 9a tluoro-4-pregnenel7a,2l-diol-3,ll,20-trione 2l-acetate is dissolved in a mixture of 1.0 cc. of benzene and 1.0 cc. of l N methanolic potassium hydroxide, and the solution is allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of about ten minutes. The solution is then acidified with acetic acid, the benzene is evaporated in vacuo, and the residual material is crystallized from ethyl acetate-ether to give l6e-methyl-9afluoro-4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l 1,20-trione.

Example 16 Diazomethane is generated by warming the generation flask to 40-45 C. and cautiously adding the N-methyl-N- nitrosotosylamide-ether from the dropping funnel. Nitrogen is utilized to sweep the diazomethane into a solution of 20 g. of 3-acetoxy-l6-pregnene-l1,20-dione in 100 ml. at tetrahydrofuran and 120 ml. of ether. The process is continued until the steroid solution remains yellow for several hours. The product, 3e-acetoxy 16,17a methyleneazo-pregnane-ll,20-dione largely precipitates from the reaction mixture. After 16 hours, the mixture is filtered, washed with ether and dried in air. Yield about 14 grams.

37.4 g. of 3a-acetoxy-l6e,l7a-methyleneazo-pregnane- 11,20-dione is placed in a 500 ml. round-bottom flask and heated by an oil bath in vacuo (pressure 0.6 mm.). A manometer and l2-liter surge flask are in the line between the reaction flask and pump trap. When the bath temperature reaches 180' C. the Sa-acetoxy-l6a,l7-methyleneazo-pregnane-ll,20-dione begins to melt with evolution of nitrogen. The maximum pressure reached is 83 mm. After 10 minutes at 180-182 C. the melt is cooled. It has 331 249 E percent 191 and is taken up in about 150 ml. of acetone, filtered through diatomaceous earth, concentrated to about 100 ml., and ether is slowly added to the boiling solution until crystallization occurs. These crystals of 3a acetoxy-l6- methyl-l6-pregnene-l1,20-dione weight about 19.0 g.

A solution of 20.0 g. of 3a acetoxy l6 methyl l6- pregnene-11,20-dione dissolved in 600 ml. of methanol, is cooled to 18' C., and 80 ml. of 30% hydrogen peroxide followed by 80 ml. of 2.5 N sodium hydroxide are added. Considerable material precipitates from solution, but all redissolves on stirring the reaction mixture at C. for 40 minutes. The solution is kept at 15 '-20 -C.

18 for 18 hours at which time the ultraviolet maximum at 249 has completely disappeared. Then 600 ml. of saturated salt water is slowly added, the crystalline precipitate is filtered, washed with water, and dried in air and in vacuum. The 16.1.17: epoxy 3a hydroxy 163 methyl pregnane- 11,20-dione thus formed weighs about 17 g.

To a solution of 2.69 g. of l6a,17e-epoxy-3e-hydroxy- 16B methyl-pregnane-ll,20-dione in 55 ml. dioxane is added 27 ml. of 2 M aqueous perchloric acid. The clear solution is kept at 25-30 C. for 65 hours. Cold water (175 ml.) is added, the slurry chilled to 8' C. and filtered after 30 minutes. The precipitate, containing a mixture of 3a,l7tz dihydroxy l6 methyl l5 pregnene ll, ZO-dione and 3a,l7-dihydlOXY l6 methylene-pregnancll,20-dione is washed with water, and dried in air and finally at 50 C. in vacuum. Yield: approximately 2 g.; the relative proportion of 3a,l7a-dihydroxy-l6-methyl-l5- pregnene-11,20-dione and 3a,l7a-hydroxy-l6 methylenepregnane-l1,20-dione is estimated to be of the order of 1:1.

A solution 3.05 g. (8.47 millimols) of the olefin mixture of 3a.,l7a dihydroxy-lfi-methylene-pregnane-l1,20- dione in ml. of methanol is reduced in hydrogen at l atmosphere and 25' C. in the presence of 2.0 g. of 25% palladium-calcium carbonate catalyst. Modification of the hydrogen conditions, pH, solvent, catalyst, etc. alters the isomer ratio significantly. Uptake of the calculated amount of hydrogen is complete in 45 minutes. The mixture is stirred an additional 30 minutes and filtered through diatomaceous earth. The colorless filtrate is taken to dryness and crystallized from ether; a mixture of 3a,I7a-dlhydroxy-l6a-methyl-pregnane-l1,20-dione and 3a,l7a-dihydroxy 16,6 methyl-pregnane-ll,20-dione is obtained; weight about 3 g. The product consists of 3ts,l7a dihydroxyl 6s-methyl-pregnane-l 1,20-dione and 3a, l7e-dihydroxy-lfifl-methyl-pregnane-l1,20-dione in the ratio ca. 7:3 as determined by the amounts of end product isolated below.

One gram of this hydrogenation product containing 3:, l7a-dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-pregnane-l l,20-dione and 3a, 17n-dihydroxy-lfl-methyl-pregnane-ll,20-dione, is chromatographed on 100 g. of activated magnesium silicate. The 100% chloroform eluates give 3a,17-dihydroxy-l6emethyl-pregnane-ll,20-dione, M.P. 188-191 C.: the 5% methanol-chloroform eluates give 3a,l7-dihydroxy-l6pmethyl-pregnane-ll,20-dione hexagonal plates from benzene-ethyl-acetate; M.P. 192-197 C.

A solution of 3.50 g. (9.7 millimols) of 3a.,l7a dihydroxy-l6,6-methyl-pregnane-ll,20-dione in 40 mg. of chloroform is warmed to 40-45 C. A solution of 1.76 g. (It millimols) of bromine in 25 ml. of chloroform is added dropwise to the stirred solution such that the color is not darker than pale yellow (ca. 2 drops/sec, total time-l hour). The nearly colorless solution is cooled to 20 C. and 200 ml. of ether is added. The mixture is extracted with excess cold 5% potassium bicarbonate solution, sodium bisulfite solution, and water, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The colorless residue after removal of solvent, 2l-bromcv3u,l7a-dihydroxy-l6p-methylpregnane-ll,20-dione (about 4 grams) gives a positive tetrazolium test.

To 4.30 g. of 2l-bromo-3e,l7e-dihydroxy-l6p-methyb pregnane-ll,20-dione in ml. of acetone and 0.0] ml. of acetic acid is added 4.83 of anhydrous potassium acetate and 3.85 g. of potassium iodide. The stirred mixture is refluxed for 18 hours and concentrated on the water pump to a small volume. Water is added, the product extracted into ethyl acetate, and the organic extract dried over magnesium sulfate to give 4 grams of a colorless foam that partly crystallizes from acetone-ether to give 3a,l7a,2l trihydroxy 16p methyl pregnane 11,20- dione ZI-acetate.

To a solution of 3c,17a,2l u-ihydroxy 16p methylpregnane 11,20 dione 2l-acetate (4.9 g.) in ml. tbutanol and 20 ml. of water cooled to 10-15 C., is added 3.5 g. N-bromo-succinimide. The suspension is stirred at 15 C. until all the N bromosuccinimide has dissolved (90 minutes). The reaction mixture is kept at 2 C. for about sixteen hours and at 25 C. for 2 hours. Sodium sulfite solution is added to destroy bromine and the mixture concentrated on the water pump to a low volume. A granular precipitate forms;' water is added, the precipitate filtered and washed with water; chromatography on neutral alumina and elution with mixtures of chloroform and benzene gives 171,2l-dihydroxy-lfi-methyl-pregnane- 3,11,20-trione 2l-acetate.

To a stirred solution of 585 mg. of 17:2,2l-dihYdl'OXY- 163 methyl pregnane 3,11,20 trione 2lacetate in 10 ml. of acetic acid and 8 ml. of chloroform kept at -l" C. is added slowly 230 mg. of bromine in 6 ml. of chloroform. After addition is complete, 1.2 g. of sodium acetate in 7 ml. of cold water is added and the mixture is extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract is washed with dilute potassium bicarbonate, water and dried over sodium sulfate. The residue is triturated with ether to give 480 mg. of crystalline 4-bromo-l7a,2l-dihydroxy-l6p-methyl-pregnane-3,l 1,20-trione 2 l-acetate.

To 583 mg. of 4-bromo-17a,2l-dihydroxy-lfifi-methylpregnane-3,ll,20-trione ZI-acetate in 20 ml. of acetonitrile under nitrogen is added a slurry of 600 mg. of semicarbazide hydrochloride and 410 mg. sodium bicarbonate in 4 ml. of water. After 2 hours, the acetonitrile is removed in vacuo, water is added and about 540 mg. of crystalline 3-semicarbazone of l7,20-dihydroxy-16fl-methyl-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate filtered, washed with water and dried.

540 mg. of the B-semicarbazone of 17a,21-dihydroxy- 16fl-methyl-4-pregnene-3,11,20'trione ZI-acetate is dissolved in 20 mg. of acetic acid, 1.5 ml. of pyruvic acid and ml. of water. After 18 hours at 25 C., water is added and the mixture extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract is washed with aqueous potassium bicarbonate, water and dried over sodium sulfate. Removal of solvent gives crude 17,2l-dihydroxy-16p'methy1-4- pregnene-3,l1,20-trione 21-acetate which is purified by chromatography on neutral alumina and crystallization from acetone-ether (hexagonal plates).

Example 17 100 mg. of 17a,21-dihydroxy-16fl-methyl-4-pregnene 3,11,20-trioue 21-acetate in 3 ml. of methanol is treated with 0.1 g. of potassium bicarbonate in 1 ml. of water, the methanol is evaporated in vacuo, and the residual material is extracted with ethyl acetate. Evaporation of the ethyl acetate solution gives crystalline Hall-dihydroxy- 16fl-methyl-4-pregnene-3J l,20-trione.

Example 18 To a stirred solution of 500 mg. of Hall-dihydroxy- 16fl-methyl4-pregnene-3J1,20-trione 21-acetate in 12.5 ml. of methanol and 3 ml. of dimethylformamide kept under nitrogen is added a slurry of 680 mg. of semicarbazide hydrochloride and 370 mg. of sodium bicarbonate in 1 ml. of water. The stirred mixture is refluxed 3'6 hours and maintained at 45 C. for 17 hours. It is then cooled to 20' C. and 50 ml. of 50% saturated aqueous sodium chloride is added. After 2 hours at 0 C. the precipitate of 3,20-bis-semicarbazido-17,21-dihydroxy- 16fl-methyl-4-pregnene-3J1,20-trione 21-acetate is filtered, washed with water until free of chloride ion and dried in air.

To a stirred solution of 600 mg. of 3,20-bis-semicarbazido-l7a,21-dihydroxy 165 methyl 4 pregnene-3, 11,20-trione 2l-acetate in 30 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 11 ml. of water under nitrogen is added 200 mg. powdered sodium borohydride. The stirred suspension is refluxed 45 minutes and then cooled to 15' C. Aqueous acetic acid (3 ml. of 30%) is added cautiously and most of the tetrahydrofuran is removed in vacuum. Addition of 5 m1. of methanol and 5 ml. of water induces the product to crystallize. Following addition of 10 ml. of a saturated sodium chloride solution and aging at 0 C. the product 3,20 bis semicarbazido llfi,l7a,2l trihydroxy-ltifimethyl-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione is filtered, washed with water, and dried in air.

To a solution of 510 mg. of reduced 3,20-bis semicarbazido-l lfl,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-l6fi methyl 4 pregnene- 3,20-dione in 5 ml. of acetic acid is added 1.20 ml. of water and 0.50 ml. of pyruvic acid. The solution is kept at 25 C. for eighteen hours. Water (20 ml.) is added, and the mixture is extracted thoroughly with chloroform. The chloroform extract is dried over magnesium sulfate and taken to dryness. The residue is crystallized from acetone-ether to give pure 11p,17a,2l-trihydroxy-16p3- methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione.

Example 19 A solution of mg. of 1lB,17u,2l-trihydroxy-l6flmethyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione in 1.0 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride is prepared. After 18 hours at 25 C., the solution is taken to dryness in vacuo and the solid residue purified by crystallization from acetoneether to give 11.6.l7e,2l-trihydroxy-l6p-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20dione Zl-acetate.

Example 20 A solution of 400 mg. of 11B,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-16fimethyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 2.0 ml. dimethyl formamide, 0.8 ml. of pyridine and 0.4 ml. of methane-sulfonyl chloride is kept at 75" C. for one hour. The mixture is cooled, water added, and the precipitate filtered, washed with water and dried in air. The desired 17,21 dihydroxy 16B methyl-4,9(ll)-pregnadiene-3,20dione 2l-acetate is purified by chromatography on alumina (20 g.) and eluation of the column with benzene. Crystallization of material eluted by benzene gives pure 17a,21-dihydroxy-16p-methyl-4,9(1l)-pregnadiene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate.

Example 21.4

To a mixture of 620 mg. of flail-dihydroxy-lfiflmethyl-4,9(1l)-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21 -acetate and 330 mg. of N-bromosuccinimide in 10 ml. of dioxane and 3.2 ml. of water cooled to 10' C. is added 1.8 ml. of cold 1 M aqueous perchloric acid. The mixture is stirred at 15 C. for 3 hours. Excess N-bromosuccinimide is destroyed by addition of aqueous sodium thiosulfate and most of the dioxane is removed in vacuo. About 30 ml. of water is added and crystalline bromohydrin, 9a-br0m0- llB,l7m,2l-trihydroxy 16p methyl 4 pregnene-3.20- dione 21-acetate, is filtered, washed with water, and dried in air.

Example 218 To a stirred solution of 100 mg. of the 9a-bromo-1h8, 17a,2l-trihydroxy 16B methyl 4 pregnene-B.20-dione 2l-acetate in 3 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 1 ml. of methanol under nitrogen is added 1.02 ml. of 0.215 N methanolic sodium methoxide. After 10 minutes at 25' C., 0.2 ml. of acetic acid is added and the methanol removed in vacuo. The residue is acetylated with 1.00 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride at 60 C. for 70 minutes. The mixture is taken to dryness in vacuo, water added, and the product extracted into chloroform. The residue is crystallized from ether-acetone to give pure 95,1lfl-epoxy 17,21 dihydroxy 163 methyl-4- pregnene-3,20-dione 2 l -acetate.

To a solution of 200 mg. of 9B,11p-epoxy-17a,21-dihydroxy-l6p-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate in 2 ml. of chloroform and 2 ml. of tetrahydrofuran in a polyethylene bottle at -60 C. is added 2 ml. of a 2:1 (by weight) mixture of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and tetrahydrofuran. After 4 hours at l0 C. the mixture is cooled to --60 C. and cautiously added to a stirred mixture of 30 ml. of 25% aqueous potassium carbonate and 25 ml. of chloroform kept at -5 Chm flqpequs phase is further extracted with chloroform and the latter phase washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate. The residue on crystallization from acetone-ether gives pure 9e-fluoro'l1p,17,2l-trihydroxy-lfip-methyl- 4-pregnene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate.

Example 22 To a stirred solution of 110 mg. of 9a-fltJO1O-llfi,l7a, 2l-trihydroxy-16fl-methyl 4 pregnene 3,20-dione 2lacetate in ml. of methanol under nitrogen at 25 C. is added 1.00 ml. of 0.26 M methanolic sodium methoxide. After minutes, 0.2 ml. of acetic acid in 1 ml. of water is added and the mixture concentrated nearly to dryness. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate solution is washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from ethyl acetate to give pure 9afluoro-llpJhJI-trihydroxy 1618 methyl 4 pregnene- 3-20-dione.

Example 23 To a solution of 100 mg. of 9fl,1lfl-epoxy-17e,21-dihydroxy-16fl-methyl4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 4 ml. of chloroform is added 5 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The two-phase mixture is stirred at 25 C. for 1 hour. Addition of water and chloroform extraction gives a crude crystalline product which is partly deacetylated. Treatment with 1 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride at 25' C. for 18 hours followed by concentration in vacuo and crystallization of the residue from acetone-ether afiords pure 9c-chloro-1lfl,l7e,2ltrihydroxy-16B-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate. This compound is hydrolyzed by treatment with potassium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol to give 9a-chlorollp,l7a,2l-trihydroxy 16B methyl 4 pregame-3,20- dione.

Example 24 To a stirred solution of 682 mg. of l7e,21-dihydroxyl6fl-methyl-pregnane-3J1,20-trione 21-acetate in ml. of chloroform and 2.25 ml. of acetic acid maintained at -20' C. is added dropwise one-half of a solution of 540 mg. of bromine in 2 ml. of chloroform and 3 ml. of acetic acid. The mixture is warmed to 0' C. and the remainder of the bromine added. Sodium acetate (0.4 g.) in 2 ml. of water is added followed by 20 mg. of sodium sulfite. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo to remove the chloroform and 20 ml. of water is added. The white powdery precipitate of 2,4-dibromo-l7a,2l-dihydroxy- 16fl-methyl-pregnane-3J1,20-trione 2l-acetate is filtered, washed with water and dried in air. Yield: 920 mg., MJ'. 122-130 C. dec.

To a solution under nitrogen of 900 mg. of the 2,4- dibromo 17:,21-dihydroxy 16p methyl-pregnane-3,l l, 20-trione 2l-acetate in 5 ml. dimethyl forrnamide is added 200 mg. of sodium bromide. After 1 hour at C., 1 m1. of dimethylaniline is added and the mixturemaintained at 135' C. for 2% hours. The mixture is cooled, added dropwise to dilute hydrochloric acid, and solid crude product filtered, washed with dilute hydro chloric acid, water and dried in air. Treatment with charcoal, followed by crystallization from acetone gives 17,21-dihydroxy-16a-methyl 1,4 pregnadiene-3,ll,20- trione ZI-acetate, MP. 230'233 C.'

Example 23 To a stirred solution of 682 mg. of 17a,21-dihydroxyl6a-methyl-pregnane-3J1,20-trione 21-acetate in 20 ml. of chloroform and 2.25 ml. of acetic acid maintained at 20' C. is added dropwise one-half of a solution of 540 mg. of bromine in 2 ml. of chloroform and 3 ml. of acetic acid. The mixture is warmed to 0' C. and the remainder of the bromine added. Sodium acetate (0.4 g.) in 2 ml. of water is added followed by 20 mg. of sodium sulfite. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo to remove the chloroform and 20 m1. of water is added. The white powdery precipitate of 2,4-dibromo-17e,2l-dihydroxy- ]6a-methyl-pregnane-3,11,20-trione Zl-acetate is filtered, washed with water and dried in air. Yield: 920 mg., MP. 122-130 C. dec.

To a solution under nitrogen of 900 mg. of the 2,4- dibromo 17a,2l dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-pregnane-3,ll, 20-trione ZI-acetate in 5 ml. dimethyl formamide is added 200 mg. of sodium bromide. After 1 hour at 25 C., 1 ml. of dimethylaniline is added and the mixture maintained at 135 C. for 2% hours. The mixture is cooled, added dropwise to dilute hydrochloric acid, and solid crude product filtered, washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, water and dried in air. Treatment with charcoal, followed by crystallization from acetone gives 17, 21-dihydroxy 16 methyl 1,4 pregnadiene 3,11,20- trione 2l-acetate, M.P. 230'-233' C.

Example 26 1.0 g. of l7a,2l-dihydroxy-IGfl-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene- 3,1 1,20-trione ZI-acetate in 30 ml. of methanol is treated with 1 g. of potassium bicarbonate in 10 ml. of water under nitrogen at reflux temperature for 7 minutes. The mixture is cooled, neutralized with 1 ml. of acetic acid in 10 ml. of water, the methanol removed in vacuo and the product extracted into ethyl acetate. Removal of the ethyl acetate gives crystals (about 0.9 g.) of the desired 17a,21-dihydroxy 16;! methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20- trione; M.P. 195-200 C.

Example 27 1.0 g. of 17,2l-dihydroxy-16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene- 3,11,20-trione 2l-acetate in 30 ml. of methanol is treated with 1 g. of potassium bicarbonate in 10 ml. of water under nitrogen at reflux temperature for 7 minutes. The mixture is cooled, neutralized with 1 ml. of acetic acid in 10 ml. of water, the methanol removed in vacuo and the product extracted into ethyl acetate. Removal of the ethyl acetate gives crystals (about 0.9 g.) of the desired 17,2l-dihydroxy-lfia-methyl 1,4 pregnadiene-3,l1,20- trione; M.P. l-200' C.

Example 28 To mg. l13-17,2l-trihydroxy-lefl-methylt-pregnene-3,20-dione Zl-acetate in 5 ml. of acetic acid is added 50 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture is refluxed under nitrogen 18 hours, 50 mg. of selenium dioxide is added and the mixture refluxed an additional 24 hours. The mixture is filtered, and the filtrate taken to dryness. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate and washed successively with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, ammonium sulfide, dilute ammonia water, water, dilute hydrochloric acid and water and dried over magnesium sulfate. It is then treated with activated charcoal and concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from acetone-ether gives pure 11p,174,2l-trihydroxy-16fl-methyl 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20- dione 2l-acetate.

Example 29 100 mg. of l1B,l7,2l-trihydroxy-lGp-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate in 3 m1. of methanol is treated with 0.1 g. of potassium bicarbonate in 10 m1. of water under nitrogen at reflux temperature for 7 minutes. The mixture is cooled, neutralized with 0.1 ml. of acetic acid in 1 ml. of water, the methanol is evaporated in vacuo and the residual material is extracted with ethyl acetate. Evaporation of the ethyl acetate gives crystalline 11B,l7,2l-trihydroxy-lfifl-methyl 1,4 pregnadiene-3, 20-dione.

In a similar manner, 100 mg. of 9a-fitlO1'O-1lfiJ7a-2ltrihydroxy-l6p-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate is treated with selenium dioxide to produce the corresponding Qa-fluoro-I13,17:,2l-trihydroxy-ldfl-methyl-lA-preg. nadiene-3,20-dione ll-acetate. This compound is hydrolyzed with potassium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol in accordance with the procedure described in the preceding paragraph to give 9a fluoro-llfi,17a,2l-trihydroxy-l6 9 methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,ZOdione. Similarly, 100 mg. of 9a chloro-l l3,174,2l-trihydroxy-lfifi-methyl 4 preg-- nene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate is treated with selenium dioxide to produce 90: chloro-l15,17a,2l-trihydroxy-l6flmethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate, which is hydrolyzed by treatment with potassium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol to give 941 chloro-llfl,l7a,2l-trihydroxylfifl-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

Example 30 A solution of 100 mg. of 9a-fluoro-llfi,l7iz,2l-trihydroxy-lofl-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21 acetate in 1 ml. of pyridine is added to the complex formed by the addition of 100 mg. of chromium trioxide to 1 ml. of pyridine. The mixture is swirled until thoroughly mixed and then allowed to stand at room temperature Overnight. The reaction mixture is poured into water, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ether and then twice with ethyl acetate. The combined ether and ethyl acetate extracts are washed with dilute aqueous sulphuric acid at about C., and then with water until neutral. The organic solvent layer is then dried, the solvents are evaporated therefrom in vacuo, and the residual crystalline material is purified by crystallization from ethyl acetate-ether to give 9a-fltl0t'0- la,21-dihydroxy-l6fl-methyl 1,4 pregnadiene-3,ll,20- trione 2l-acetate. This compound is hydrolyzed by treatment with potassium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol to form 9a-fiuoro-l7a,2l-dihydroxy16 3-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,1l,20-trione.

In a similar manner, 9a-chloro-1lfl,l7a,2l-trihydroxylofl-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21 acetate is reacted with chromium trioxide-pyridine complex to give 9a chlorol 7,2 l -dihydroxyl 6fl-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene- 3,11,20-trione 2l-acetate, which is hydrolyzed by treatment with potassium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol to give 941 chloro-l7a,2l-dihydroxy-ltSfl-methylJA-pregnadiene-3 ,1 1,20-trione.

Similarly, 9a-flu0ro-1lB,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-lGfl-methyl- 4-pregnene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate is reacted with chromium trioxide-pyridine complex to form 9a-filJOr0-l7a,2ldihydroxy-l6B-methyl4-pregnene-3J1,20 trione 2l-acetate which is hydrolyzed by treatment with potassium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol to produce 9a-flll0l0- 171,21-dihydroxy-l6fi-methyl-4-pregnene-3J 1,20-trione.

Similarly, 9a-chlorol15,17e,2l-trihydroxy-l6B-methyl- 4-pregnene-3,20-dione Zl-acetate is reacted with chromium trioxide-pyridine complex to form 9a-ChlO1'O-l7a,2ldihydroxy-16B-methyI-4-pregnene-3,l1,20 trione Zl-acetate which is hydrolyzed by treatment with potassium bir carbonate in aqueous methanol to produce 9a-Chl0t0-l7a, 2 l-dihydroxy-l 6flmethyl-4-pregnene-3,l 1,20-trione.

Example 31 To a suspension of 25.0 g. of llfl,l7a,2l-trihydroxyl6a-methyl-4,6pregnadiene-3,20-dione in 1.5 liters of alcohol-free chloroform cooled to about C. in an ice bath is added with consistant stirring 750 ml. of cold, concentrated hydrochloric acid and then 750 ml. of formalin (low in methanol). The mixture is removed from the ice bath and stirred at room temperature for 7 hours. The layers are separated and the aqueous phase is back extracted with chloroform. The combined organic layers are washed twice with a 5% solution of sodium bicarbomate, and twice with a saturated salt solution. The solution is dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The pressure is triturated with methanol to afford a crytalline solid. This material contains no detectable amount of starting material by paperstrip chromatography. A 2.425 g. aliquot is recrystallized three times from a mixture of benzene and nhexane to give l7u,20,20,2l-bis(methylenedioxy)-lIfl-hydroxy-16a-methyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3-one which is used in the subsequent step of the synthesis without further purification.

The l7a,20,20,2l bis(methylenedioxy)-llfl-hydroxy- 16a-methyl-4.6-pregnadiene-3'onc (L350 g.) is dissolved n 25 ml. of dry, hot benzene and the remaining solution IS cooled to room temperature and treated with 0.96 ml. of freshly distilled ethyl formate. The air in the system is replaced with nitrogen and 560 mg. of sodium hydride (as a 58% dispersion in mineral oil) is added. The system 15 again evacuated and filled with nitrogen, and the mixture is stirred magnetically at room temperature over night. The mixture is poured into an excess of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium dihydrogen phosphate and the product which is dissolved in ether and purified as the extracts are washed three times with water and dried over sodium sulfate. Removal of the solvent gives the crude product which is dissolved in either and purified as the sodium dihydrogen phosphate and extacted into ether carbonate. The aqueous alkaline extracts are again acidified with an excess of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium dihydrogen phosphate and extracted into ether and into chloroform. The combined organic extracts are dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness to give l7a,20,20,2l-bis(methylenedioxy)-l lfi-hydroxy-Z-hydroxymethylene-l6a-methyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3-one.

The l7a,20,20,2l-bis(methylenedioxy)-lIB-hydroxy-Z. hydroxymcthylene-l6a-methyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3-one (850 mg.) is dissolved in 9.2 ml. of absolute ethanol and treated with a solution of 0.16 ml. of hydrazine hydrate dissolved in 0.!6 ml. of absolute ethanol. The mixture is refluxed in a nitrogen atmosphere for about minutes and then evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is washed three times with cold water and the resulting amorphous solid is dried at 80 C. for 1 hour in high vacuum to give l7,20,20,2l-bis(methylenedioxy)- l llS-hydroxy-l out-methyl-4,6-pregnadieno-[ 3.2-c1pyrazole.

To a solution of 100 mg. of l7a,2D,20,2l bis(methylened1oxy)-llfl hydroxy 16a methyl-4,6-pregnadien0- [3,-2-c]pyrazole in 2 ml. of pyridine is added 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride. The mixture is allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. A mixture of ice and water is then added. After standing for about 30 minutes. the product is extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract is washed successively with water, ice-cold 1 N sulfuric acid (until the pH of the aqueous layer is l-3), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (until the pH of the aqueous layer is 8), and water (until the aqueous layer is neutral). The ethyl acetate solution is dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent is then distilled at about 40 C. in vacuo to afford the N-acetyH7a,20,20,2l-bis- (methylenedioxy)-l IB-hydroxy 16 methyl-4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole which is isolated by the addition of water and filtration.

In accordance with the above procedure, but using an equivalent quantity of another acylating agent in place of acetic anhydride there is obtained the corresponding N-acyl-steroid.

The N acetyl-17a,20,20,2l-bis(methylenedioxy)-ll3- hydroxy-l6a-methyl 4,6 pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole (720 mg.) is heated in a steam bath with 24 ml. of a 60% aqueous solution of formic acid for about 30 minutes. The excess reagent is removed in vacuo using a water bath at about C. as the source of heat. The residue is flushed four times with n-hexane and then dried at aqueous solution of formic acid for about 30 minis a mixture of N-acetyl-l1fi,l7,2l-trihydroxy-loo-methyl-20-oxo-4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c1pyrazole and N-acetyl- 2l-formyloxy-1 Ip,l7a-dihydroxy-16a methyl 20-oxo-4,6- pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole which compounds are separated by chromatography.

A 500 mg. aliquot of this crude product is dissolved in 2.4 ml. of pure methanol and allowed to react with 0.9 ml. of a 1.33 N solution of sodium methoxide in methanol at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere for ten minutes. The alkoxide is neutralized with acetic acid and the mixture is then taken to dryness and flushed with n-hexane. The residue is washed with water, filtered and dried to constant weight to give llfi,l7a,2l-trihydroxy- 16a-methyl-20-oxo-4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole.

To a solution of 100 mg. of N-acetyl-llfl.l7a,2l-trihydroxy-l6a-methyl-20-oxo-4,G-pregnadieno-[3,2-c] pyrazole in 2 ml. of pyridine is added one milliequivalent of acetic anhydride. The mixture is allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. A mixture of ice and water is then added. After standing for about 30 minutes, the product is extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract is washed successively with water, ice-cold l N sulfuric acid (until the pH of the aqueous layer is l-3). saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (until the pH of the aqueous layer is 8), and water (until the aqueous layer is neutral). The ethyl acetate solution is dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent is then distilled at about 40' C. in vacuo. The N-acetyl-l lp,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-l6a-methyl-20-oxo-4,6 pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole ZI-acetate is then isolated by addition of water and filtration.

In accordance with the above procedures, but using an equivalent quantity of another acylating agent in place of acetic anhydride, there is obtained the corresponding N-acetyl-l13,171.21-trihydroxy-16a-methyl-20 oxo 4,6- pregnadieno- 3 ,Z-c] pyrazole 21-acylate.

In accordance with the above procedure, but starting with the l15,17,2l-trihydroxy-l6a-methyl-20 oxo 4,6- pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole and using two milli-equivalents of another acylating agent there is obtained the corresponding N-acyl-llp,l7a,2l-trihydroxy 16a methyl- 20-oxo-4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c1pyrazole 2l-acylate.

A solution of 5.73 g. of N-acetyl llfi,l7a,2l-trihy droxy-l6a-methyl 20 oxo-4.6-pregnadieno-[3.2-c]-pyr azole ZI-acetate in 60 ml. of 80% (v./v.) acetic acid is refluxed for 1.5 hours. This solution is diluted with 400 ml. of ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract is washed with water and with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, dried, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. Recrystallization of the resulting product affords llfl,l7a.2l-trihydroxy 16a methyl 20- oxo-4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2c]pyrazole ZI-acetate.

To a solution of 85 mg. of N-acetyl-l1B,l7u,2l-trihydroxy-l6-methyl-20-oxo-4,6 pregnadieno [3,2 c] pyrazole in 0.5 ml. of pyridine, cooled to C., is added 0.015 ml. of methane sulfonyl chloride. The resulting mixture is allowed to stand at a temperature of approximately 0' C. for a period of approximately one hour. Water is then added to the reaction mixture and the precipitate which forms is recovered by filtration, washed with water, and dried to give N-acetyl-llp,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-l6u-methyl-20-oxo-4,6-pregnadieno [3,2 c]pyrazole 21-mesylate.

To 180 mg. of N-acetyl-llfl,l7a,2l trihydroxy 16amethyl-20-oxo-4,6-pregadieno[3,2-c1pyrazole 21 mesylate dissolved in 10 ml. of acetone is added 300 mg. of sodium iodide. The resulting mixture is heated at reflux temperature for a period of approximately 1 hour, and the reaction solution is cooled to room temperature and diluted with water. The material which precipitates i recovered by filtration, washed with water, and dried to give N-acetyl-l1p,17-dihydroxy-21-iodo 16a methyl- 20-oxo-4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2c1pyrazole.

The N-acetyl-llB,17a-dihydroxy-2l-iodo-16 methyl- 20-oxo-4,6'pregnsdieno-[3,2-c1pyrazole is dissolved in a mixture of 5 m1. of water and 5 ml. of ethanol. To the resulting suspension is added 500 mg. of sodium bisulfite, and the mixture is heated under reflux for a period of about 1 hour. The reaction solution is cooled, diluted with water. and the material which separates is recovered by filtration. The product is washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give N-acetyl- 11p,17e-dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-20-oxo 4,6 pregnadieno- [3,2-c1pyraz0le.

To a solution of 62 mg. of N-acetyl-1lB,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-16a-methyl-20-oxo-4,6-pregnadieno [3,2 e]pyraaole-21mesylate in 1 ml. of freshly distilled anhydrous dimethylformamide is added enough anhydrous potassium fluoride to assure a saturated solution. The mixture is heated at 10 C. for 20 hours. Water is added to the cooled solution and the product is extracted into chloroform, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The resulting product is a mixture of N-acetyl-lh, 2l-epoxy-llp-hydroxy-l6a-methyl-20-oxo 4,6 pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole and N-acetyl-Zl-fluoro-l1,8,17a-dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-20-oxo-4,6 pregnadieno [3,2 c] pyrazole, which compounds are separated by partition chromatography or by chromatography on silica gel.

A 500 mg. aliquot of the N-acetyl-Zl-fluoro-llfiJH- dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-20-oxo-4,6-pregnadieno [3,2 c] pyrazole is dissolved in 2.4 ml. of pure methanol and allowed to react with 0.9 ml. of a 1.33 N solution of sodium methoxide in methanol at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere for ten minutes. Hie alkoxide is neutralized with acetic acid and the mixture is then taken to dryness and flushed with n-hexane. The residue is washed with water, filtered and dried to constant weight to give the 2l-fluoro-llfl,l7-dihydroxy-ltie-methyl 20- oxo-4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c1pyrazole.

Example 32 A 5 g. sample of 9a-fluoro-llfi,17a,2l-trihydroxy-l6mmethyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione is dissolved in a mixture of 235 ml. of chloroform and 150 ml. of methylene chloride, cooled in an ice bath with stirring and treated with ml. of formaldehyde (37%). An equal volume (85 ml.) of cold concentrated hydrochloric acid is added from a funnel over a 5-minute interval with stirring and cooling. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for four hours. The layers are separated and the organic layer is washed free of acid by washing three times with water and then with a 5% solution of sodium bicarbonate. The organic layers are washed free of bicarbonate, dried over magnesium sulfate and taken to dryness. The gummy residue is treated with enough hot methanol on a steam bath to effect trituration, and the resulting crystalline solid is separated by filtering the mixture while hot. (The filtrate is set aside and may deposit additional product overnight.) The crude product is dried to constant weight and purified by chromatography. The product is partially dissolved in 250 ml. of hot chloroform and diluted with an equal volume of hot benzene to complete solution. After cooling, the mixture is adsorbed in g. of basic alumina and eluted with benzene and chloroform to give l7a,20,20,2l bis (methylenedioxy) 9m fiuoro 16amethyl-l 1B-hydroxy-4,6-pregnadiene-3-one.

The l7a,20,20,2 1 -bis- (methylenedioxy -9e-fluorol 6::- methyl-t lfl-hydroxy-4,6-pregnadiene-3-one (3.25 g.) is dissolved in 76 m]. of dry pyridine and added to a cold solution prepared by the cautious addition of 3.2.5 g. of chromium trioxide (in portions) to 34.7 ml. of cold pyridine. The mixture is allowed to stand at room tempcrature overnight. The mixture is poured into water and extracted three times with ethyl acetate, avoiding excessive shaking especially during the third extraction. The combined ethyl acetate extracts are washed three times with l N sulfuric acid and then with water until neutral. The combined ethyl acetate extracts are dried over magnesium sulfate and taken to dryness to give 2.94 g. of product. The product is dissolved in benzene, adsorbed on basic alumina and eluted with 8:2 benzenerchloroform to give 17a,20,20,2l-bis(methylenedioxy)-9-fluoro-16amethyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3,1 l-dione.

A 2.60 g. sample of l7a,20,20,2l-bis(methylenedioxy)- 9a-fluoro-16e-methyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3,ll-dione is dissolved in 95 ml. of dry benzene using dry equipment and treated with 2.43 ml. of freshly distilled ethyl formate. About l.l9 g. of a dispersion of sodium hydride in mineral oil (about 51%) is added, followed by about 1.19 g. of freshly prepared dry sodium methoxide (dried at about C. oil pump for 4 hours). The air in the system is again replaced with nitrogen and the mixture, which turns yellow at once, is stirred at room temperature for one and one-half hours. At this point the color of the reaction mixture is a dark orange. The mixture is chilled in an ice bath and a cold, saturated solution of sodium dihydrogen phosphate is added gradually to decompose excess sodium hydride and neutralize the sodium methoxide. Ether is added and the layers are separated. The aqueous layers are back-extracted with ether and the combined organic layers are washed free of acid with water and then extracted three to four times with a 5% aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate. These extracts are set aside. The product is now extracted four to live times with a cold 2% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. (In order to avoid emulsification, the aqueous alkali is gently poured into the separatory funnel and the layers are separated without shaking the funnel. The last two extracts may be shaken with care.) The dark liquor is back-extracted two times with ether, and finally acidified in the cold with saturated aqueous solution of sodium dihydrogen phosphate. The neutral ether-benzene fraction should be set aside and processed as described below. The product is extracted into ether, and the ether extracts are washed free of acid with a saturated solution of sodium chloride. After drying over magnesium sulfate, the ether solution is taken to dryness and the amorphous product is crystallized from methanol to give l7a,20,20,2lbis(methylenedioxy) 9a fluoro 2-hydroxy-methylene- I6u-methyl-4.6-pregnadiene-3.1l-dione. This material is satisfactory for use in the next step.

A 1.00 g. aliquot of 17a,20.20.2l-bis(methylenedioxy)- 9a fluoro-Z-hydroxymethylene-16e-methyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3,1l-dione is suspended in 44 ml. of absolute ethanol and treated with 0.38 ml. of hydrazine hydrate (99- l%). The air in the system is replaced with nitrogen and the mixture is quickly brought to the reflux temperature. After refluxing for one hour the mixture is taken to dryness; the residual oil is treated with water and the resulting amorphous solid is removed by filtration. washed thoroughly with water and dried. The yield is about 900 mg. The crude product is dissolved in absolute ethanol and concentrated in vacuo until the solid separates. The solid is redissolved by heating, and then allowed to crystallize slowly to afford 17a,20,20,21-bis(methylenedioxy)- 9a fluoro 16a-methyl-1l-oxo-4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c] pyrazole.

A 455 mg. aliquot of 17a,20.20,21-bis(methylenedioxy)- 9a fluoro l6a-methyl-11-oxo-4,6-pregnadieno[3,2-c]- pyrazole is suspended in 75 ml. of a solution of sodium borohydride in isopropanol which is prepared by suspending an excess of sodium borohydride in isopropanol, stirring vigorously for about 15 minutes. and filtering to separate the excess of sodium borohydride. To the suspension is added an 0.816 ml. aliquot of a solution of 0.55 ml. of triethylamine in 1.45 ml. of isopropanol. The mixture is stirred, and enough methylene chloride (about 30 ml.) is added, with cooling, to make the system homogeneous. One drop of water (ca. 1/20 ml.) is added and the mixture is stirred in a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature overnight. Insolubles generally separate out in the course of the reaction. The mixture is then cooled, and the excess of sodium borohydride is decomposed by the addition of cold 2.5 N hydrochloric acid. The mixture (pH ca. 5) is taken to dryness in vacuo and the residue is washed with water and dried to give 17a.20.20,21-bis (methylenedioxy) 9a-flt10l'0- 1 1p-hydroxy-16a-methyl-4, 6-pregnadieno-[3,2-cl-pyraznle.

To a solution of 100 mg. of 17a,20.20,21-bis(rnethylenedioxy) 9a fluoro-Itrihydroxy-l6e-methyl-4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-clPY aZOle in 2 ml. of pyridine is added 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride. The mixture is allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. A mixture of ice and water is then added. After standing for about 30 minutes, the prodnet is extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract is wa hed successively with water. ice-cold 1 N sulfuric acid (until the pH of the aqueous layer is l-3), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (until the pI-I of the aqueous layer is 8), and water (until the aqueous layer is 28 neutral). The ethylacetate is then distilled at about 40 C. in vacuo to afi'ord the N-acetyl-l7a.20.20,2l-bis (methylenedioxy) 9a fiuoro-llfi-hydroxy-lfia-methyl- 4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c]-pyrazole which is isolated by the addition of water and filtration.

In accordance with the above procedure, but using an equivalent quantity of another acylating agent in place of acetic anhydride, there is obtained the corresponding N-acyl derivative.

The N acetyl-17a,20.20.2l bis(methylenedioxy)-9afluoro 11p hydroxy-l6a-methyl-4,6-pregnadieno[3,2-c]- pyrazole (2.5 mg.) is heated on a steam bath with 5 cc. of a 60% aqueous solution of formic acid for about 30 minutes. The excess reagent is removed under reduced pressure using a water bath at about 50 C. as the source of heat. The residue is flushed with n-hexane. The residue is then dissolved in acetone and precipitated with n-hexane to give an amorphous solid which is a mixture of N-acetyl- 9oz fluoro 115-17m,2l-trihydroxy-l6e-methyl-20-oxo-4, 6-pregnadieno-[3,2-clpyrazole and N-acetyl-9a-fluoro-2lformyloxy 115.171: dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-20-oxo-4.6- pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole, which compounds are separated by chromatography.

A 500 mg. aliquot of this crude product is dissolved in 2.4 ml. of pure methanol and allowed to react with 0.9 ml. of a 1.33 N solution of sodium methoxide in methanol at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere for ten minutes. The alkoxide is neutralized with acetic acid and the mixture is then taken to dryness and flushed with nhexane. The residue is washed with water, filtered and dried to constant weight to give 9a-fiuoro-11fl,l7e,21-trihydroxy-l6ut-methy1-20 oxo 4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c]- pyrazole.

To a solution of 100 mg. of N-acetyl 9a fluorollfl.lla-2l-trihydroxy 16a methyl-20-oxo 4,6-pregnadieno[3,2-c]pyrazole in 2 ml. of pyridine is added one milliequivalent of acetic anhydride. The mixture is allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. A mixture of ice and water is then added. After standing for about 30 minutes, the product is extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract is washed successively with water, ice-cold 1 N sulfuric acid (until the pH of the aqueous layer is l-3), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (until the pH of the aqueous layer is 8), and water (until the aqueous layer is neutral). The ethyl acetate solution is dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent is then distilled at about 40 C. in vacuo. The N-acetyl-9a-fluoro- ]1p,1701,21-trihydroxyl6a-methyl 20 oxo 4,6-pregnadieno[3,2-c]pyrazole ZI-acetate is then isloated by addition of water and filtration.

In accordance with the above procedure, but using an equivalent quantity of another acylating agent in place of acetic anhydride, there is obtained the corresponding N-acetyl 9a fluoro-l 1,s,17u,2l trihydroxy-16a-methyl- 20-oxo-4,6-pregn adieno- [3,2-c pyrazole 21-acylate.

In accordance with the above procedure, but starting with the 9e-fluoro-I1B,17,2l-trihydroxy-l6a-methyl-20- oxo-4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c1pyrazole and using two milliequivalents of another acylating agent, there is obtained the corresponding N-acyl-Zl-acylate thereof.

A solution of 5.73 g. of N-acyl-9a-fiuoro-11p,17a,21- trihydroxy-16a-methyl-20-oxo 4,6 pregnadieno-[3,2-c]- pyrazole iii-acetate in 60 ml. of (v./v.) acetic acid is refluxed for 1.5 hours. This solution is diluted with 400 ml. of ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract is washed with water and with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, dried, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. Recrystallization of the resulting product affords 9-flu0ro-11,B,17a,21 trihydroxy 16amethyl-20-oxo-4,6 pregnadieno-[3,2-c]PYra2ole 2Iacetate.

To a solution of mg. of N acetyl 9e: fluoro- 1lp,17a,21-trihydroxy 16 methyl-ZO-oxo 4,6 pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole in 0.5 ml. of pyridine, cooled to 0 C., is added 0.015 ml. of methane sulfonyl chloride.

The resulting mixture is allowed to stand at a temperature of approximately C. for a period of approximately 1 hour. Water is then added to the reaction mixture and the precipitate which forms is recovered by filtration, washed with water, and dried to give N-acetyl-9a-fluorol1p,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-16-methyl 20 oxo 4,6-pregnadieno- [3,2-c1pyranole 21 mesylate.

To 180 mg. of N-acetyl-h-fluoro 1lp,17,2l-trihydroxy-16rs-methyl-20-oxo 4,6 pregnadieno-[3,2c]-pyrnzole 2l-mesylate dissolved in ml. of acetone is added 300 mg. of sodium iodide. The resulting mixture is heated at reflux temperature for a period of approximately one hour, and the reaction solution is cooled to room temperature and diluted with water. The material which precipitates is recovered by filtration, washed with water, and dried to give N-acetyl 9a fluoro-l lp,l7s-dihydroxy-2liodtls-l6a-methyl-2o-oxo 4,6 pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyram e.

The N-acetyl-9a-lluoro-1lath-dihydroxy 21 iodo- 16a-methyl-20-oxo-4,6 pregnadieno [3,2-c1pyraz0le is dissolved in a mixture of 5 ml. of water and 5 ml. of ethanol. To the resulting suspension is added 500 mg. of sodium bisulfite, and the mixture is heated under reflux for a period of about 1 hour. The reaction solution is cooled, diluted with water, the material which separates is recovered by filtration. The product is washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give N- acetyl-9c-fluoro-l16,17a-dihydr0xy 16 methyl--oxo- 4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole.

A 500 mg. aliquot of the above product is dissolved in 2.4 ml. of pure methanol and allowed to react with 0.9 ml. of a 1.33 N solution of sodium methoxide in methanol at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere for ten minutes. The alkoxide is neutralized with acetic acid and the mixture is then taken to dryness and flushed with nhexane. The residue is washed with water, filtered and dried to constant weight to give Qa-tluOro-IIpJh-dihydroxy-l6ui-methyl-20-oxo 4,6-pregnadieno [3,2-c1pyrmole.

To a solution of 62 mg. of N-acetyl 9a fluorollp,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-l6a-methyl 20 oxo 4,6-pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyrazole 2l-mesylate in 1 ml. of freshly distilled anhydrous dimethyl-formamide is added enough anhydrous potassium fluoride to assure a saturated solution. The mixture is heated at 110' C. for 20 hours. Water is added to the cooled solution and the product is extracted into chloroform, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to drynesss. The resulting product is a mixture of N-acetyl-l'la,2l-epoxy-9n-tluoro up hydroxy-16- methyl-20-oxo-4,6-pregnadieno [3,2-c1pyrazole and N- acetyl-9s,2l-difiuoro-l13,17a-dihydroxy 16a methyl- ZO-oxo 4,6 pregnadieno-[3,2-c]pyramle, which compounds are separatesd by partition chromatography, or by chromatography on silica gel.

A 500 mg. aliquot of the above product is dissolved in 2.4 ml. of pure methanol and allowed to react with 0.9 ml. of a 1.33 N solution of sodium methoxide in methanol at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere for ten minutes. The alkoxide is neutralized with acetic acid and the mixture is then taken to dryness and flushed with n-hexane. The residue is washed with water, filtered and dried to constant weight to give 9a,2l-difluoro-17,21- dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-20-0xo-4,6 pregnadieno [3,2-c]

pyrazole.

Example 33 A suspension of 16 methyl-l lp,17-dihydroxy-21- ncetoxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (111 mg.) and 243 mg. of chloranil in 5 ml. of t-butanol is heated at reflux temperature for about 3 hours. The solvent is then removed by concentration to dryness in vacuo leaving a solid residue comprising the 4,6-pregnadiene product. The product is extracted from the solid mass with chloroform. The chloroform is then washed successively with portions of aqueous sodium thiosulfate, aqueous potassium by- 30 droxide and water. The chloroform extract of product is then dried and concentrated to a crude crystalline solid which is recrystallized from ethyl-acetate to give substantially pure 16 methyl 115,17a dihydroxy 21 aeetoxy-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione;

A :2 283 mm.

The product is converted to l6a-methyl-l lp,l7,2l-trihydroxy-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione by treatment with a solution of potassium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol.

In similar manner lfi-methyl-l lfl,l7u-dihydroxy-2lacetoxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione is converted to 16fl-methyl- 11fi,17 dihydroxy 21 acetoxy 4,6 pregnadiene 3,20 dione and 16p methyl-llfl,l7a,2l-trihydroxy- 4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

Example 34 In the manner given in Example 33, l6a-methyl-l7- hydroxy 21 acetoxy4-pregnene 3,11,20 trione is dehydrogenated with chloranil to give l6a-methyl-l7ahydroxy 21 acetoxy-4,6-pregnadiene-3,l1,20 trione which is then hydrolyzed with potassium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol to give l6-methyl-17a,21-dihydroxy- 4,6-pregnadiene-3, l 1,20-trione.

In the manner given in Example 33, dehydrogenating with chloranil 16p methyl 17a hydroxy-2l-acetoxy-4- pregnene-3,ll,20 trione yields l6B-methyl-17u-hydroxy- 21-acetoxy-4,6-pregnadiene 3,11,20 trione which is hydrolyzed with potassium bicarbonate to give 16pmethyll 7a,2 l-dihydroxy-4,6-pregnadiene-3,1 1,20-trione.

Example 35 In the manner given in Example 33, lfia-methyl-lhhydroxy 21 acetoxy 9a fluoro-4-pregnene-3,ll,20- trione is hydrogenated with chloranil and t-butanol to give ion-methyl 17a hydroxy 21 acetoxy 9afluoro 4,6 pregnadiene 3,11,20 trione and 16amethyl -l7 hydroxy 21 acetoxy 9c chloro 4 pregnene-3,11,20-trione is dehydrogenated to give 164- methyl 17 hydroxy 21 8i0Xy-9a-Ch|OlO-4,6- pregnadiene-3,1 1,20-trione. These 2l-acetoxy-4,6-pregnadienes are hydrolyzed with potassium bicarbonate and aqueous methanol to give respectively, the Qe-fluoro and 9a-chloro derivatives of l6-methyl-l7s,2l-dihydroxy-4, 6-pregnadiene-3,l 1,20-tn'one.

In the manner given in Example 33, and dehydrogenating with chloranil lfip-methyl-l7s-hydroxy-2l-acetoxy- 4 pregnene 3,11,20 trione yields l6p-methyl l7ahydroxy 21 acetoxy 4,6-pregnadiene 3,11,20 trione which is hydrolyzed with potassium bicarbonate and aqueous methanol to give lfifl-methyl-l7,2l-dihydroxy 4,6'pregnadiene-3,1 1,20-trione.

Example 36 In the manner given in Example 33, the Qe-fiuoro and 9a-chloro derivatives of 16a-methyl-llflJk-dihydroxy- 21-acetoxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione are dehydrogenated with chloranil and refluxing t-butanol to give, respectively, the 9u-fluoro and 9e-chloro derivatives of l6a-methyl-llfl. 17a dihydroxy-Zl-acetoxy 4,6 pregnadiene 3,20- dione which are hydrolyzed with potassium bicarbonate and aqueous methanol to give, respectively, 16e-methyl- 1lfl,17a,2l trihydroxy 9s lluoro 4,6 pregnadiene- 3,20 and l6a-methyl 115,174,21 trihydroxy 9mchloro-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

In the manner given in Example 33, and dehydrogenating with chloranil the Qa-fluoro and 9a-chloro derivatives of 16p methyl 1tp,17 dihydroxy 21 acetoxy 4- pregnene-3.20-dione yield, respectively, the 9a-fltl0l0 and 9e-chloro derivatives of l6p-methyl11p,l7e-dihydroxy- 21 aoetoxy 4,6 pregnadiene 3,20 -dione which are hydrolyzed with potassium bicarbonate and aqueous methanol to give, respectively, 16fl-methyl-llfl,l7a,2l-trihydroxy 9a lluoro 4,6 pregnadiene 3,20-dione and 31 16B methyl llfl,l7a,2l trihydroxy 9a. chloro-4,6- pregadiene-3,20-dione.

Example 3 7 Fifty milliliters of a nutrient medium are prepared having the following composition:

Cerelose g- 1 Edamin ..-g 1 Cornsteep liquor ml- 0.25

Distilled water to make 50 ml.

This medium is adjusted to pH 6.5 with KOH, sterilized and inoculated with about 2.5 to ml. of a culture of Bacillus sphaericus (ATCC-245) microorganisms and the inoculated culture is then incubated at a temperature of 28 C., with agitation for a 24-hour period. To the resulting culture is added a solution containing 10 mg. of 16a. methyl llB,l7,2l trihydroxy 4,6 pregnadiene- 3,20-dione dissolved in 0.2 ml. of dimethylformamide. The culture containing the steroid compound is incubated, with agitation for an additional period of about 24 hours The fermentation broth is extracted with four 50 ml. portions of ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate extracts are combined and evaporated in vacuo to a volume of about 5 ml. The concentrated solution is then streaked on paper chromatograms which are developed using formamide as the stationary phase and chloroform as the mobile phase. After 6 hours development in a descending system, the bands for each chromatogram corresponding to the 1,4,6-pregnatriene product are located by the characeteristic ultraviolet absorption, cutoff and extracted with methanol. The methanol extract from the second chromatography is evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give a residue comprising lfia-methyl-ll,17a,2l-trihydroxy 1,4,6- pregnatriene 3,20 dione which may be further purified by crystallization from ethyl acetate. The 16s methyl- 11B,l7a,21 trihydroxy 1,4,6 pregnatriene 3,20 dione is treated with acetic anhydride and pyridine to give 16o.- methyl llfl,l7a dihydroxy 21 acetoxy 1,4,6- pregnatriene-3,20-dione.

Example 38 The fermentation procedure of Example 37, is repeated but using, in place of lfie-methyl-llp,l7a,2l-trihydroxy- 4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione employed in Example 37, the steroid starting compound indicated in the table hereinbelow. The resulting fermentation broths are treated in accordance with the isolation methods described in Example 37 to give, for the steroid substrate used, then 16- methyl-ll-oxygenated 174,21 dihydroxy-l,4,6-pregnatriene indicated in the following table:

A mixture of 0.58 g. 9a-fluoro-2l-acetoxy-l6a-methyl- 11p,l'la-dihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and 1.2 g. chloranil in 30 ml. of xylene is maintained at the reflux temperature in an atmosphere of nitrogen for a period of about 16 hours. The entire reaction mixture is cooled to about 25 C. and diluted with approximately 60 m1. of chloroform. The diluted reaction mixture is then washed sequentially with 60 ml. cold aqueous 10% sodium thiosulfate solution, 60 ml. cold aqueous 5% potassium hydroxide solution and two 30 ml. portions of ice water. The entire reaction mixture is then dried and chromatographed over alumina to separate it into two main fractions. The first fraction which is obtained by elution of the alumina with benzene contains very little of the desired product and is not further characterized. The second fraction which is obtained by elution with chloroform contains the desired product 9a-fluoro 21 acetoxy-llfl, l7a-dihydroxy-l,4,6-pregnatriene-3,20-dione which could be recognized by its characteristic absorption peak at 298 me. To further separate and purify the product the chloroform eluate is subjected to partition chromatography in the following manner: A suitable solvent system for this separation is composed of a stationary phase which consists of ethyllene glycol equilibrated with a mixture of 30% iso-oetane and 70% ethylene dichloride, and a mobile phase complementary to the stationary phase, i.e. 30% iso-octane-70% ethylene dichloride equilibrated with ethylene glycol. The chromatograph column having a diameter of approximately 27 mm. and a bed length of about cm. is prepared so that it will contain approximately -130 g. of Super-Cel and have a hold up volume of about 370 ml. To prepare the column the desired quantity of Super-Cel is slurried with the mobile phase while 0.5 ml. of the stationary phase per gram of support is titrated into the slurry. The column is packed by allowing the slurry to rain down into the column which has been filled with the mobile phase. The packing is then completed by applying 5 lbs. of nitrogen pressure until the bed length is approximately 120-130 ml.

The chloroform eluate from the alumina chromatography containing the desired product is then evaporated in vacuo to remove the solvent and dissolved in approximately 10-30 ml. of the mobile phase which is charged to the top of the column. The column is then developed using the mobile phase and the ultraviolet absorption of the column eluate observed to detect the presence of the characteristic absorption peak of the 1,4,6-trienone prodnet at 298 m After collection of the fraction containing this product, the fraction is washed with water to remove ethylene glycol, dried and evaporated leaving as a residue the Qa-fluoro-Z l-acetoxy-l6a-methyll13,17a dihydroxy- 1,4,6-pregnatriene 3,20 dione in crystalline form. The product is further crystallized from ethyl acetate to give substantially pure material havinbg the following characteristics, M.P. 204-209"; e -+55 (c. 0.8, CHCl,).

In the manner described above and using as the steroid starting material 9a-Chl01O-2 l-acetoxy- 16a-methyl-l 113,17a-dihydroxyl,4pregnadiene-3,20-dione;

9fluoro-21-acetoxy-1 GB-methyl-l 1p, 17-dihydroxy 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione;

9a-chloro-2 l-aeetoxy- 1 Gp-methyl-l 1p, 17u-dihydroxy- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione;

9a-fluo ro-2 1 -acetoxy-1 6e-methyll 7a-hydroxy- 1,4-

pregnadiene-3,1 1,20-trione;

9a-ChlO1'O-2 l-acetoxyl 6a-methyll7a-hydroxyl ,4-

pregnadiene-3 ,1 1,20-trione;

9a-chloro-2l-acetoxy-l6fl-methyl-17a-hydroxy-L4- pregnadiene-3,1 1,20-trione; and

the products obtained after dehydrogenation and chromatography are, respectively,

9a-Cl1l01'O-2 l-acetoxyl 6a-methyl-1 1p, 1 7a-dihydroxyl,4,6-pregnatriene-3,20-dione;

9a-fluoro-21-acetoxy- 1 6B-methyl-l 13,17e-dihydroxy- 1,4,6-pregnatriene-3,20-dione;

33 9e-chloro-21-acetoxyl EB-methyl-l lfl,l7a-dihydroxy- 1,4,6-pregnatriene-3,20-dione; Su-fiuoroZI-acetoxy- 1 fiat-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-l,4,6-

pregnatriene-3,11,20-t:rione; 9a-chloro-21-aoetoxy-war-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-l,4,6-

pregnatriene-BJ 1,20-trione; 9a-chloro-21-acetoxy-ltip-methyl-17a-hydroxy-l,4,6'

pregnatriene-3,l1,20-trine; and 9a-fluoro-2l-acetoxy-ltie-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-l,4,6-

pregnadiene-3,l1,20-trione;

Example 40 10 grams of 16u-methyl 4 pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l l- -trione are dissolved in 400 cc. of chloroform. To this solution is added a mixture of 100 cc. of concentrated aqueous hydrochloric acid and 100 cc. of 37% aqueous formaldehyde solution. The resulting mixture is stirred for a period of approximately 3 days at room temperature. The chloroform layer is separated, washed with sodium bicarbonate solution until neutral, then with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual crude material is purified by crystallization from a mixture of methylene chloride and methanol to give 17a,20,20,2l bismethylenedioxy 16amethyl-4-pregnene-3,1 l-dione.

10 grams of l7a,20,20,2l bismethylenedioxy 16emethyl-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione are dissolved in 500 cc. of benzene, to the solution is added cc. ethylene glycol and 1 gram of p-toluenesulfonic acid, and the resulting mixture is heated under reflux for a period of approximately 15 hours. The reaction solution is cooled, washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual crude material is adsorbed from its solution in benzene on 250 g. of acid-washed alumina, and the resulting adsorbate is eluted utilizing mixtures of ether-petroleum ether to give 3-ethylenedioxy-17e,20,20, 2l-bismethylenedioxy-16a-methyl-5-pregnene-l l-one.

A mixture of 10 grams of 3'CIhYlCDCCllOXY-I7m,20,20, 2l-bismethylenedioxy-l6a-methyl-5-pregnene-1l-one, 4.3 g. perbenzoic acid and 230 cc. benzene is allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of about 2 days. A portion of the epoxide product, which precipitates, is separated from the reaction solution by decantation, and the decanted solution is washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The dried solution is then evaporated in vacuo, and the residual epoxide product is combined with the epoxide product originally separated from the reaction mixture to give 3-ethylenedioxy-17e, 20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy 16a methyl-5,6-epoxy-pregnane-ll-one.

The latter product is dissolved in 200 cc. of substantially anhydrous formic acid and the resulting solution is allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of about 2% hours. The reaction solution is poured into water, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with chloroform. The coloroform solution is washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo to give a mixture of 17a,20,20,2l bismethylenedioxy 16a methyl-6- formyloxy pregnane-5-o1-3,ll dione and 171,202!- bismethylenedioxy 16a. methyl-S-formyloxy-pregnane- 601-3, 1 l-dione.

This mixture of S-formyloxy and G-formyloxy derivatives is dissolved in about 850 cc. of methanol, to this solution is added a solution containing about 17 grams of potassium hydroxide in 80 cc. of water, and the resulting mixture is heated under reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of approximately '1: hour. The reaction solution is cooled, neutralized with about 23 cc. of acetic acid and evaporated in vacuo to a small volume. The concentrated solution is poured into water and the aqueous mixture is extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material is crystalized from methanol to give 17e,20,20- 21 bismethylenedioxy 16a methyl-allopregnane-3,6,l ltrione.

A solution containing about 5 grams of l7a,20,20,2lbismethylenedioxy 16a methyl allopregnane 3,6,11- trione and 0.1 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid in cc. butanone dioxolane is heated under reflux for a period of about 10 minutes. The reaction solution is cooled to about 0-5 C., diluted with chloroform, and the resulting solution is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The resulting dried solution is evaporated to dryness in vacuo, and the residual material is slurried with ether, recovered by filtration and then dried to give a 3ethylenedioxy-17,20- 20,21 bismethylenedioxy 16c methyl-allopregnane-6, ll-dione.

A solution containing about 5 grams of 3 ethylenedioxy l7a,20,20,21 bismethylenedioxy 16 methylallopregnane 6,11 dione in 70 cc. of benzene is added, with stirring over a period of approximately 10 minutes, to an ethereal solution containing the methyl magnesium iodide, prepared from 5 cc. of methyl iodide and 0.5 gram of magnesium turnings, dissolved in 50 cc. of ether. The reaction mixture is allowed to stir for an additional 56 hour period, and the resulting solution is decomposed with 70 cc. of water. About cc. of benzene is added to the aqueous mixture and the layers are separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with two 100 cc.-portions of chloroform, and the organic layers are combined, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give 3-ethylenedioxy-17,20,20,2l-bis methylenedioxy 6a,l6a dimethyl-allopregnane-6p-ol-llone.

A solution containing 5.5 cc. of freshly distilled thionyl chloride in 26 cc. of cold anhydrous pyridine is added dropwise, with stirring, to a solution of 5.0 g. of 3-ethylenedioxy l7a,20,20,21 bismethylenedioxy 6,l6a dimeth-allopregnane-Gfl-ol-ll-one in 32 cc. of anhydrous pyridine, while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture at approximately 40 C. The reaction solution is stirred for an additional 30 minute period following the addition of the thionyl chloride reagent, and the reaction mixture is then coled to about 0-5 C. and poured into cc. ice water. The aqueous mixture is extracted with chloroform and the chloroform extract is neutralized, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material, dissolved in benzene, is chromatographed on 150 grams of acid-washed alumina; elution of the resulting adsorbate with mixtures of petroleum ether and ether gives 3-ethylenedioxy-l7a, 20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy 6,16a dimethyl-S-pregnene- None.

A solution containing about 5 grams of 3-ethylenedioxy- 17,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy 6,161 dimethyl-S-pregnene-l l-one, 500 cc. of anhydrous acetone and about 0.5 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate is allowed to stand for a period of about 15 hours. The reaction solution is poured into water, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with chloroform. The chloroform solution is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the chloroform solution is evaporated to dryness is vacuo. The residual material is crystallized from benezene to give 17,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy-6e, l6a-dimethyl-4-pregnene-3, l l-one.

About 0.1 gram of 17e,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-6e, 16a-dimethyl-4-pregnene-3J l-dione is suspended in 18 cc. of 50% aqueous acetic acid, and the suspension is carefully purged with nitrogen, following which the suspension is heated on a steam bath under nitrogen for a period of about 8 hours and then allowed to stand at room temperature for an additional period of 15 hours. The reaction solution is evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give 601,161:- dimethyl-4-pregnene 17,2l diol 3,11,20 trione. This material is dissolved in 20 cc. of chloroform, and the chloroform solution evaporated to dryness in vacuo. To the residual dry material is added 1 cc. of pyridine and 1 cc. of acetic anhydride, and the resulting mixture is heated on a steam bath for a period of about 15 minutes. The reaction solution is cooled to about -5 C. and poured into ice water. The aqueous suspension is extracted with chloroform, and the chloroform extract is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material, dissolved in 30 cc. benzene, is adsorbed on grams of acid-washed alumina; the adsorbate is washed with 50 cc. ether. The adsorbate is then eluated with 250 cc. of a 5:5 mixture of ether chloroform, and then with 50 cc. of a 3 :7 mixture of ether-chloroform. The eluates are evaporated in vacuo, and the residual material is crystalized from methanol to give 6e,l6a-dimethyl- 4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,l1,20-trione 2l-acetate.

To a solution of 100 mg. of 6a,16a-dimethyl-4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione 2l-acetate, in 6 ml. t-butanol, and 0.01 ml. of glacial acetic acid is added 70 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture is heated under reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of about 6 hours. The reaction solution is filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residual material is dissolved in benzene, and the benzene solution is washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over an anhydrous sodium sulfate. The benezen solution is stirred with mercury overnight, then centrifuged, and the clear benzene solution is evaporated in vacuo. The residual material thus obtained is separated using partition chromatography on diatomaceous silica (Super-(Eel) to give 6a.l6-dimethyl-1,4- pregnadiene-l7s,2l-diol-3,l 1,20-trione ZI-acetate.

Example 41 To a solution of 100 mg. of l71,20,203l-bismethylenedioxy-6e,16a-dimethyl-4-pregnene-3,1 l-dione. prepared as described in Example 40 hereinabove, in 6 ml. t-butanol, and 0.01 ml. of glacial acetic acid is added 70 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture is heated under reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of about 6 hours. The reaction solution is filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residual material is dissolved in benzene, and the benacne solution is washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The benzene solution is stirred with mercury overnight, then centrifuged, and the clear benzene solution is evaporated in vacuo. The residual material thus obtained is separated using partition chromatography on diatomaceous silica (Super-Cel) to give 17.20.20,21-bismethylenedioxy 6a, 1 Ba-dimethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3, 1 l-dione.

About 0.1 gram of l7a,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-6e, 16e-dimethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,1l-dione is suspended in 18 cc. of 30% aqueous acetic acid, and the suspension is carefully purged with nitrogen, following which the suspension is heated on a steam bath under nitrogen for a period of about 8 hours and then allowed to stand at room temperature for an additional period of hours. The reaction solution is evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give 6a,l6a-dimethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-l7c,2l-diol-3,l1, ZO-trione. This material is dissolved in 20 cc. of chloroform, and the chloroform solution evaporated to dryness in vacuo. To the residual dry material is added 1 cc. of pyridine and 1 cc. of acetic anhydride, and the resulting mixture is heated on a steam bath for a period of about 15 minutes. The reaction solution is cooled to about 0-5 C. and poured into ice water. The aqueous suspension is extracted with chloroform, and the chloroform extract is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material, dissolved in 30 cc. benzene. is adsorbed on 5 grams of acid-washed alumina; the adsorbate is washed with 50 cc. ether. The adsorbate is then eluted with 250 cc. of a 5 :5 mixture of etherchloroform, and then with 50 cc. of a 3 :7 mixture of etherchloroform. The eluates are evaporated in vacuo, and the residual material is crystallized from methanol to give 6a.l6a dimethyl 1,4 pregnadiene-lIa,2l-diol-3,11.20- trione 2 l-acetate.

Example 42 About 5 grams of 3-ethylenedioxy l7.20,20.2l bismethylenedioxy-6,la-dimethyl-S-pregnene-l l-one, which can be prepared as described in Example 40 hereinabove, is dissolved in about cc. of benzene. This solution is added to a stirred suspension containing 5 grams of lithium aluminum hydride in one liter of anhydrous ether, and the resulting suspension is heated under reflux for a period of about 4 hours. The reaction mixture is allowed to cool to about room temperature, and approximately 33 cc. of ethyl acetate is added to destroy excess lithium aluminum hydride. The resulting mixture is admixed with about cc. of water, the ethereal layer is decanted. and the aqueous layer, diluted with an additional 200 ccof water, is extracted with chloroform. The ether and chloroform layers are combined, and the combined organic layers are dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material, dissolved in about 250 cc. of benzene, is adsorbed on about grams of acid-washed alumina, and the resulting adsorbate is eluted utilizing mixtures of petroleum etherether. This eluate is evaporated in vacuo, and the residual material is purified by crystallization from ether to give 3-ethylenedioxy l7a,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy 6.16:: dimethyl- 4pregnene-l 13-01.

A solution containing about 5 grams of 3-ethylenedioxyl71,20,203l-bismethylenedioxy 6,16a dimethyl-S-pregnene-l lfi-ol, 500 cc. of anhydrous acetone and about 0.5 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate is allowed to stand for a period of about 15 hours. The reaction solution is poured into water and the aqueous mixture is extracted with chloroform. The chloroform solution is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the chloroform solution is evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material is crystallized from benzene to give l7u,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy 6a,l6n dimethyl 4 pregnene-l lfl-ol- 3-one.

About 0.1 gram of l7e,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-6a, 16a-dimethyl-4-pregnene-l lfi-ol-one is suspended in 18 cc. of 50% aqueous acetic acid, and the suspension is carefully purged with nitrogen, following which the suspension is heated on a steam bath under nitrogen for a period of about 8 hours and then allowed to stand at room temperature for an additional period of 15 hours. The reaction solution is evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give 6J6 dimethyI-4- regnene'l 1fl,l7n,2 l-triol-3,20-dione. This material is dissolved in 20 cc. of chloroform, and the chloroform solution evaporated to dryness in vacuo. To the residual dry material is added 1 cc. of pyridine and 1 cc. of acetic anhydride, and the resulting mixture is heated on a steam bath for a period of about 15 minutes. The reaction solution is cooled to about 0-5 C. and poured into ice water. The aqueous suspension is extracted with chlorofon'n, and the chloroform extract is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material, dissolved in 30 cc. benzene, is adsorbed on 5 grams of acid-washed alumina; the adsorbate is washed with 50 cc. ether. The adsorbate is then eluted with 250 cc. of a 5 :5 mixture of etherchloroform, and then with 50 cc. of a 3:7 mixture of etherchloroform. The eluates are evaporated in vacuo. and the residual material is crystallized from methanol to give 6:,l6a dimethyl-4-pregnene-llfl,l7e,2l-triol 3,20-dione ZI-acetate.

To a solution of 100 mg. of 6,l6-dimethyl-4-pregnene-llp,l7e,2l-triol-3,20-dione 2l-acetat'., in 6 ml. t-butanol, and 0.01 ml. of glacial acetic acid is added 70 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture is heated under reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of about 6 hours.

The reaction solution is filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residual material is dissolved in benzene, and the benzene solution is washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The benzene solution is stirred with mercury overnight then centrifuged and the clear benzene solution is evaporated in vacuo. The residual material thus obtained is separated using partition chromatography on diatomaceous silica (Super-Ce!) to give 6a,16u-dimethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-llfl,17a,21-trio1-3,20-dione 2 l-acetate.

Example 43 To a solution of 100 mg. of l7a,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-6a,16a-dimethyl-4-pregnene-l 1 fl-ol-3-one, prepared as described in Example 40 hereinabove, in 6 ml. t-butanol and 0.01 ml. of glacial acetic acid is added 70 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture is heated under reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of about 6 hours. The reaction solution is filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residual material is dissolved in benzene, and the benzene solution is washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The benzene solution is stirred with mercury overnight then centrifuged and the clear benzene solution is evaporated in vacuo. The residual material thus obtained is separated using partition chromatography on diatomaceous silica (Super-Cel) to give 17u,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-fim, lGa-dimethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-1lfl-ol-3-one.

About 0.1 gram of l7a.20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-6a, 16a-dimethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-l1fl-ol-3-one is suspended in 18 cc. of 50% aqueous acetic acid, and the suspension is carefully purged with nitrogen, following which the suspension is heated on a steam bath under nitrogen for a period of about 8 hours and then allowed to stand at room temperature for an additional period of 15 hours. The reaction solution is evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give 6a,]Ga-dimethyl-l,4pregnadiene-tlfl,l7a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione. This material is dissolved in 20 cc. of chloroform, and the chloroform solution evaporated to dryness in vacuo. To the residual dry material is added 1 cc. of pyridine and 1 cc. of acetic anhydride, and the resulting mixture is heated on a steam bath for a period of about 15 minutes. The reaction solution is cooled to about 5 C. and poured into ice water. The aqueous suspension is extracted with chloroform, and the chloroform extract is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material, dissolved in 30 cc. benzene, is absorbed on grams ofacid-washed alumina; the adsorbate is washed with 50 cc. ether. The adsorbate is then eluted with 250 cc. of a 5:5 mixture of etherchloroform, and then with a 50 cc. of a 3:7 mixture of ether-chloroform. The eluates are evaporated in vacuo, and the residual material is crystallized from methanol to give 6a,ltSa-dimethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-11fl,l7a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione 21-acetate.

Example 44 To a cooled solution of 436 mg. of 6a,16a-dimethyl-4- pregnene-l1p,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione 21-acetate (which can be prepared as described in Example 42 hereinabove) in 2.5 cc. dimethyl formamide and 2.0 ml. of dry pyridine is added 1.0 ml. of methane sulfonyl chloride, while maintaining the temperature below 0 C. The resulting mixture is allowed to warm at room temperature, at which point a precipitate appears; the resulting mixture is then heated to a temperature of about 70-l00 C. for a period of about minutes. About ml. of water is added slowly to the reaction mixture, with stirring, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate extracts are washed with water, then with dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid solution, again with water, and then with a dilute aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The washed ethyl acetate solution is dried, and the solvent is evaporated in vacuo; the residual material is triturated with ether, and the crystalline material is recrystallized to give 6a,l6a.-dimethyl-4,9(11)-pregnadiene-l7a.2l-diol- 3,20-dione 21 acetate. A suspension of 330 mg. of 60:,l6adimethyl-4,9(11)-pregnadiene-l7a,21-diol-3,20-diol 21- acetate and 1.8 g. of N-bromo-succinimide in a mixture of 50 ml. of dioxane and 10 ml. of water is cooled to 10 C. Then with stirring. 10 ml. of cold 1.0 N aqueous perchloric acid is added. The temperature of the reaction mixture is allowed to rise to 15 C. and is maintained at this point for about two-and-one-half hours during which time the solid material slowly dissolves. The resulting yellow solution is treated with 1.0 ml. of allyl alcohol to discharge the color and the remaining N-bromo-succinimide, and the remaining solution is evaporated to a small volume in vacuo. The concentrated solution is diluted with water, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extracts are washed, dried and evaporated to dryness, and the residual material is crystallized from ethyl acetate ether to give 9u-bromo-6a,16a-dimethyl-4-pregnene-l1B,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione ZI-acetate.

A solution of 210 mg. of 9nt-b1'0l'ltO-6a,l6a-dlmclhyl- 4 pregnene l1,6,17a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 21-acetate and 240 mg. of potassium acetate in 10 ml. of absolute ethanol is heated under reflux for two hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, evaporated in vacuo to a small volume, and diluted with water. The concentrated aqueous mixture is extracted with three portions of ethyl acetate, and the combined ethyl acetate extracts are washed with water, dried, and evaporaed to dryness in vacuo. The residual material is crystallized from ethyl acetate-ether to give 611.16:- dimethyl 9,11 epoxy-4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

To a solution of 83 mg. of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in 4.7 ml. of ice-cold alcohol-free chloroform is added an ice-cold solution of 416 mg. of 6u.l6a-dimethyl- 9,1l-epoxy-4-pregnene-17a,2l-diol-3,20-diol 21 acetate. The solution is mixed thoroughly and maintained at 0 C. for two hours at the end of which time 13.0 ml. of ice-cold 20% aqueous sodium acetate is added, and the resulting mixture agitated vigorously. The layers are separated, and the chloroform layer is washed with water until free of acid, dried, and the chloroform evaporated in vacuo. The residual material is crystallized from acetone'petroleum ether to give 6a,16a-dimethyl-9a-fiuoro- 4 pregnene-l18,17a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 2l-acetate. Fifty milligrams of 6a,l6a-dimethyl-9a-fluoro-4-pregnene-11B, l7a,21-triol-3,20-dione 2l-acetate is dissolved in a mixture of 1.0 cc. of benzene and 1.0 cc. of 1 N methanolic potassium hydroxide, and the solution is allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of about 10 minutes. The solution is then acidified with acetic acid, the henacne is evaporated in vacuo, and the residual material is purified by crystallization to give 6,16a-dimethyl-9afluoro-4-pregnene-1 1,6,17a-21-triol-3,20dione.

To a solution of mg. of 6a,l6a-dimethyl-9a-fluoro- 4-pregnene-l1p,17,21-triol-3.20-dione 21-acetate, in 6 ml. t-butanol, and 0.01 ml. of glacial acetic acid is added 70 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture is heated under reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of about 60 hours. The reaction solution is filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residual material is dissolved in benzene, and the benzene solution is washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The benzene solution is stirred with mercury overnight, then centrifuged, and the clear benzene solution is evaporated in vacuo. The residual material thus obtained is separated, using partition chromatography on diatomaceous silica (Super-Cel), to give 6a, 16:: dimethyl-9a-fiuoro-1,4-pregnadiene-11B,l7a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione Zl-acetate. This material is hydrolyzed using 1 N methanolic potassium hydroxide in benzene as described above for the hydrolysis of 6a,l6a-dlmClhyl-9afluoro-4-pregnene-11p,17a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 21 acetate to give 6:1,l6n dimethyl-9a-fiuoro-l,4-pregnadiene-l1p. l7a,2l-trio1-3,20-dione.

Example 45 A solution of 400 mg. of 6a,l6a-dimethyl-9a-tluoro- 4 pregnene l15,17a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 2l-acetate in 4 ml. of pyridine is added to the complex formed by the addition of 400 mg. of chromium trioxide to 4 ml. of pyridine. The mixture is swirled until thoroughly mixed and then allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture is poured into water, and the aqueous mixture is extracted with ether and then twice with ethyl acetate. The combined ether and ethyl acetate extracts are washed with dilute aqueous sulfuric acid at about C., and then with water until neutral. The organic solvent layer is then dried, the solvents are evaporated therefrom in vacuo, and the residual crystalline material is purified by crystallization to give 601,161 dimethyl 9a fiuoro-4-pregnene-l7,2l-diol-3, 11,20-trione 21-acetate. Fifty milligrams of 611,16a-dimethyl 9a fluoro-4-pregnene-l7u,2l-diol 3,11,20 trione 2l-acetate is dissolved in a mixture of 1.0 cc. of benacne and 1.0 cc. of l N methanolic potassium hydroxide, and the solution is allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of about 10 minutes. The solution is then acidified with acetic acid, the benzene is evaporated in vacuo, and the residual material is purified by crystallization to give 6a,]6a-dimethyl-9-fluoro-4- pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l 1,20-trione.

To a solution of 100 mg. of 6.l6a-dimethyl-9a'fluoro- 4 pregnene l7a,2l-diol-3,ll,20-trione 21-acetate, in 6 ml. t-butanol, and 0.01 ml. of glacial acetic acid is added 70 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture is heated under reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of about 60 hours. The reaction solution is filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residual material is dissolved in benzene, and the benzene solution is washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The benzene solution is stirred with mercury overnight, then centrifuged, and the clear benzene solution is evaporated in vacuo. The residual material thus obtained is separated using partition chromotagraphy on diatomaceous silica (Super- Cel) to give 6a,l6a-dimethyl-9a-fluoro-1,4-pregnadienel7a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione Zl-acetate. This material is hydroylzed using 1 N methanolic potassium hydroxide in benzene as described hereinabove for the hydrolysis of 6a,16a dimethyl 9a-fluoro-4-pregnene-l7,2l-diol-3,l l, 20-trione ZI-acetate to give 6a,]6a-dimethyl-9a-fluoro-L4- pregnadienel 70:,2 l-diol-3,l 1,20-trione.

Example 46 Fifty milliliters of a nutrient medium are prepared having the following composition:

Cerelose --g-- l Edamin l Cornsteep liquor --ml-- 0.25

Distilled water to make 50 ml.

This medium is adjusted to pH 6.5 with KOH, sterilized and inoculated with about 2.5 to ml. of a culture of Bacillus sphaericu: (ATCC 245) microorganisms, and the inoculated culture is then incubated at a temperature of 28 C., with agitation, for a 24-hour period. To the resulting culture is added a solution containing 10 mg. of 6a,]6a-dimethyl-4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,ll, -trione dissolved in 0.2 ml. of dimethylformamide. The culture containing the steriod compound is incubated, with agitation, for an additional period of about 24 hours at 28' C.

The fermentation broth is extracted with four 50 ml. portions of ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extracts are combined and evaporated in vacuo to a volume of about 5 ml. The concentrated solution is then streaked on paper chromatograrns which are developed using formamide as the stationary phase and 50% benzene-50% chloroform as the mobile phase. After 8 hours development in a descending system. the upper bands for each chromatogram, corresponding to the a -dehydro derivative, are cut off, extracted with methanol, and the methanolextracted material is again subjected to strea.!.-paper chromatography. The upper band is again cut off, thoroughly dried, extracted with methanol, and the methanol extract is evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material is recrystallized to give 6,l6a-dimethyl-l, 4-pregnadiene-l7a,2 l-diol-3.l l,20-trione.

The 6a,la-dimethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-17,2l-diol-3,1l, 20-trione is treated with acetic anhydride and pyridine to give the Zl-acetyl derivative, which is purified by recrystallization to give substantially pure 6a.l6a-dimethyl-l,4- pregnadiene-l7a,2l-diol-3,l l,20-trione 2l-acetate.

Example 47 Fifty milliliters of a nutrient medium are prepared having the following composition:

Cereiose g l Edamin gl Cornsteep liquor --ml- 0.25

Distilled water to make 50 ml.

This medium is adjusted to pH 6.5 KOH, sterilized and inoculated with about 2.5 to 5 ml. of a culture of Nocardia asteroids: (ATCC 9970) microorganisms, and the inoculated culture is then incubated at a temperature of 28' C., with agitation, for a 24-hour period. To the resulting culture is added a solution containing 10 mg. of 6:1,16udimethyl-4-pregnene-l lfl,17a.,2l-lliOl-3 ,ZO-dione dissolved in 0.2 ml. of dimethylformamide. The culture containing the steroid compound is incubated, with agitation, for an additional period of about 24 hours at 28' C.

The fermentation broth is extracted with four 50 ml. portions of ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate extracts are combined and evaporated in vacuo to a volume of about 5 ml. The concentrated solution is then streaked on paper chromatograms which are developed using formamide as the stationary phase and 50% benzene- 50% chloroform as the mobile phase. The upper bands for each chromatogram corresponding to the a -dehydro derivative are cut oil, extracted with methanol, and the methanol-extracted material is again subjected to streakpaper chromatography. The upper band is again cut otf, thoroughly dried, extracted with methanol, and the meth anol extract is evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual material is recrystalized to give 6,l6-dimethyl-l, 4-pregnadiene-l 1p, l7a,2 l-triol-3,20-dione.

The 6a,16 ditnethyl-l.4-pregnadiene-l1B,l7a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione is treated with acetic anhydride and pyridine. and the acetylated product recrystallized to give substantially pure 6,l6e-dimethyl-l,4-pregnadiene llfl,17a,2ltriol-3,20-dione 2l-acetate.

Example 48 Fifty milliliters of a nutrient medium are prepared having the following composition:

Cerelose g 1 Edamin g 1 Cornsteep liquor ml 0.25 Distilled water to make 50 ml. 

6. (A 17-OXYGENATED-PREGNANE AS DEFINED IN CLAIM 1, WHICH HAS THE CHEMICAL NAME) 16A-METHYL-1,4-PREGNADIENE-11B,17A,21-TRIOL-3,20 